Bret Easton Ellis and Todd Michael Schultz.Photo:Owen Kolasinski/BFA/Shutterstock
Owen Kolasinski/BFA/Shutterstock
Todd Michael Schultz, author Bret Easton Ellis’ partner of 14 years, was arrested and charged with trespassing, authorities said.
Schultz, 37, was arrested on Tuesday at the West Hollywood condominium where he lives with the 59-year-old novelist (American Psycho,Less Than Zero, The Rules of Attraction), police confirm to PEOPLE.
There is no evidence that suggests Ellis had anything to do with the alleged trespassing, authorities said.
He added that Schultz was experiencing a psychotic break, but the episode was nonviolent, per the outlet. According to the author, Schultz was not attempting a burglary, but rather accidentally walked into the open apartment thinking it was Ellis’ residence.
At the time of the incident, a distressed female condo resident made a 911 call and told dispatchers that a man had entered her residence and began ransacking her things,The New York Timesreported. She also told management that the man was “unresponsive” when she asked him to leave.
Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.
Schultz was originally scheduled to appear in court on Friday, but it was rescheduled for next Tuesday because he was “in no position” to be in court, Ellis toldThe New York Times.
He is being held on $51,000 bail, according toThe Los Angeles Times, which cited police.
Ahead of the rescheduled court appearance, Schultz is in lockdown in a psychiatric ward at Los Angeles’ Twin Towers Correctional Facility, according toThe New York Times.
In astatement posted to his website, Ellis wrote that Schultz, while in the psychiatric ward, is “unaware of where he is or why he’s there.”
The statement said, in part, “It is a complicated dance when you’re living with an addict with mental health issues and you love and care about: they CAN convince you that everything is fine, and YOU are blinded because you want to believe it too and avoid the pain and stress and heartbreak that comes with your ultimate understanding of the situation–that awful clarity you don’t want to face.”
If you or someone you know needs mental health help, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.
source: people.com
