David Blaine Being Investigated By NYPD Over Sexual Assault Allegations (Report)

Magician David Blaine is reportedly under investigation by the NYPD over allegations he sexually assaulted at least two women, a senior NYPD official told The Daily Beast on April 1. The official reportedly said detectives with the department’s Special Victims Unit took statements from two different women; one allegedly told detectives she was sexually assaulted by Blaine in his apartment in 1998, according to a person familiar with the complaint.

A representative for Blaine told In Touch, “David denies the accusations that have been reported and he takes these allegations seriously. He intends to cooperate with any investigation.”

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Blaine has not been officially charged with a crime, and the NYPD declined to comment on the case to Daily Beast. “The NYPD takes sexual assault and rape cases extremely seriously,” Chief Spokesman Phil Walzak said in a statement, “and urges anyone who has been a victim to file a report so we can perform a comprehensive investigation, and offer support and services to survivors.” Blaine told the outlet he has no comment and he hasn’t been approached by the police.

Blaine is a magician known for his elaborate stunts. In 2003, he lived — without food — in a glass box suspended by the River Thames in London for 44 days. During his “human aquarium” stunt in 2006, he was submerged in a water-filled sphere for seven days, only receiving air and food via tubes. He ultimately failed in his attempt to break the world record for holding his breath underwater while escaping heavy chains at the same time.

This is not the first time the magician has faced allegations like this — The Daily Beast also noted that a former model named Natasha Prince alleged Blaine raped her in London in 2004. Blaine denied the allegation, and while Scotland Yard detectives took Prince’s statement, they later said they declined to take further action after an investigation. As for these new claims, the 1998 one may actually fall outside the statute of limitations. Whether Blaine will be charged in connection with either of these allegations remains to be seen.