Ryan Lochte built a name as a swimming superstar, but recently, the medalist’s very public fall from grace has made headlines. The 41-year-old athlete, who recently checked himself into a Florida rehab facility, is facing devastating accusations from his estranged wife, Kayla Rae Reid, that paint a troubling picture of life inside their once picture-perfect home.
Court filings reveal Reid, 34, claims Ryan Lochte’s long battle with substance abuse went far beyond casual partying. According to the motion she filed in Florida, she allegedly discovered empty baggies of cocaine scattered around their house under the dining room table, in their children’s rooms, and even on a bathroom counter. Even more disturbing, Reid says she caught Lochte inhaling nitrous oxide in front of their six-year-old daughter, Liv, while the two were in the garage. For a man who built his career on discipline, speed, and strength, the allegations feel like a shocking contradiction (via Daily Mail).
Reid, a former Playboy playmate, filed for divorce in March after seven years of marriage, calling the split “painful” and citing “trials we didn’t choose or see coming.” At the time, both she and Lochte kept details vague, leaving fans wondering what really went wrong. Now, however, her amended petition is ripping that secrecy wide open.
Ryan Lochte’s Estranged Wife Details Their Dramatic Life In Florida
In her filing, Reid asks for sole custody of their three kids, Caiden, 8, Liv, 6, and Georgia, 2, arguing that Lochte’s alleged behavior makes shared custody “detrimental” to the children. Among her claims: Lochte passed out behind the wheel of a running car, drove their kids around without car seats, and even crashed a vehicle on August 7 after supposedly being impaired. She also says he unplugged security cameras when she traveled for work, leaving her unable to check on the children. If true, it’s a dark turn for someone once hailed as an American sports hero.
Lochte, who won six Olympic gold medals across four Games, isn’t staying silent. In a statement, he admitted to substance abuse after what he described as a spiral following a 2023 car accident. But he pushed back hard against the most damning accusations.
“I am not denying that I used drugs in my home, but I adamantly deny ever using drugs in front of or around my children, and I have never driven them while intoxicated,” Lochte said. He also claimed the car crash Reid referenced wasn’t drug-related, but instead happened during a thunderstorm while he was returning from a rehab meeting.
Currently, Lochte says he’s 54 days sober thanks to treatment at UF Health Florida Recovery Center in Gainesville, calling the decision to enter rehab one of the best moves of his life. It’s not his first stint—back in 2018, he quietly did a six-week program for alcohol addiction after a hotel incident in California. But this time, the stakes feel higher.
The Accusations Are Horrifying
Meanwhile, Reid is pushing to move their family from Florida to California, where she says her support system is stronger. She’s also demanding alimony, citing Lochte’s travel-heavy career and her inability to work full-time while managing the children.
“Beyond Disturbing,” one person commented on the situation. “Those poor kids,” another chimed in. “Fame got to him,” a third person said. “She should have called the police and had him arrested if this is true,” a fourth comment read.
The Florida judge handling their case has yet to rule on Reid’s motion or Ryan Lochte’s request to seal her explosive claims to protect his career. But one thing is certain: the once-glittering swimmer is now facing the toughest test of his life, and this time, no gold medal is waiting at the finish line.
Nina Franklin 
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