6:13PM EST November 14. 2012 - The Kirkland (Wash.) police department said Wednesday that the domestic abuse case involving former NFL tight end Jerramy Stevens and U.S. soccer goalkeeper Hope Solo is "an open investigation."
Though they appeared in court on Tuesday, the same day they were supposed to be married, a judge found no probable cause to keep Stevens in custody and released him. However, police officials have decided to continue their investigation. They will interview neighbors and attempt to re-interview witnesses, Lieutenant Mike Murray told USA TODAY Sports. With further evidence, police could refile the case, a process that could take several weeks.
Stevens, who has had other run-ins with the law, was arrested early Monday morning on charges of fourth-degree domestic assault.
Seattle Sports Radio KJR reported Solo and Stevens were married Tuesday night. No record of a marriage certificate was available at the King County Recorders Office on Wednesday, but the filing of paperwork can take up to 30 days. Stevens and Solo applied for a marriage license Thursday.
If the two are married, it could further complicate the investigation. "If the parties are not cooperating it's not ideal," Murray said. "We take domestic violence issues very seriously. We realize it doesn't get better."
Calls to Solo's agent and lawyer were not returned Wednesday. U.S. Soccer expects Solo to report for the team's game Nov. 28 against Ireland in Portland, Ore.
Police responded to a disturbance call at 3:45 a.m. Monday morning involving a fight at a party, according to the police report obtained by USA TODAY Sports. Solo's brother, Marcus, said he used a stun gun on one of the unwanted guests at the party.
According to the police report, Hope Solo yelled "don't say anything to them, Marcus" at her brother several times when questioned by police.
Police found Stevens hiding on the floor between a wall and bed, according to the report. Stevens said he was sleeping, not hiding, and that he did not hear the fight.
Stevens had dried blood on his shirt and cheek and there were signs of a fight in the bedroom. Stevens said the blood on his face was from a kiss from Hope Solo, police said.
Based on Stevens' account that he had been arguing with Solo, the sign of an altercation in the bedroom, her injury and the blood on his shirt, police arrested Stevens on charges of fourth-degree domestic assault.
Stevens told the officer he and Solo had been fighting about whether they would live in Florida or Washington after their planned marriage on Tuesday, according to police. Court records show the two applied for a marriage license last Thursday.
On Wednesday, Kathy Redmond, the founder of the National Coalition Against Violent Athletes, called the case disturbing because of Stevens' previous arrest record for violence against women and because Solo is considered a role model for many girls and women.
"We, of course, hope that the issue did not involve domestic abuse by Stevens but considering the information available, it appears to the contrary," Redmond wrote in an email. "The disturbing fact is that a person of Ms. Solo's stature has not come forward publicly to help calm the situation and provide some kind of excuse or explanation as to what happened, why it happened and some type of antiviolence message for the girls and young women watching who could make similar decisions or dismiss abuse."
Redmond also said that she's seen a trend regarding female athletes in physical sports who have experienced abuse. "They are competitive, they are tough, and they believe that to involve police or to 'rat out' a fellow athlete is cowardly and feminine. … They will handle it on their own, they can tough it out and be physical, too. They'll handle abuse on their own and not deal with the symptoms or the ramifications of it. The competitive mentality kicks in and they will battle."