Attorneys for a woman suing Marvin Gaye’s adopted son for assault at his home in 2023 are asking a judge to allow them to serve the complaint in a media publication after multiple attempts at personal service failed.
The woman is identified only as Jane Doe in the Van Nuys Superior Court lawsuit brought against Marvin Gaye III that alleges assault, battery, intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, negligence, false imprisonment, harassment and trespass to property.
According to the suit, Doe was called to Gaye’s home on Jan. 12, 2023, to mediate a dispute between Gaye and his now former wife, Wendy Gaye.
“Plaintiff’s intent was solely to assist in diffusing the situation,” the suit states.
But when Doe arrived, events escalated violently and Gaye allegedly pointed a gun at Doe and Wendy Gaye and threatened their lives, the suit states.
On Wednesday, Doe’s attorneys filed court papers with Judge Huey P. Cotton stating that a professional process server was unable to hand the summons and lawsuit to Gaye in early January at Gaye’s last known personal residence in Calabasas.
“Despite multiple attempts at different times of the day…, service was unsuccessful as the defendant was not present and no other individuals were available to accept service on their behalf,” plaintiff’s attorney Gil Arbel says in a sworn statement.
An attorney for Gaye declined to accept service on Gaye’s behalf, according to Arbel, who further states that news coverage of the lawsuit indicates Gaye is aware of the case.
“Despite diligent efforts to personally serve the defendant, all reasonable attempts have been unsuccessful,” Arbel says.
In a separate court document, process server Andrew Jones says Gaye’s home appeared to be vacant and that the occupants had recently moved. The proposed service by publication would be in a local newspaper that includes coverage of the Calabasas area.
According to the suit brought Dec. 26, Doe fled “in fear for her life” and on subsequent days Gaye cut the brakes on her car and had people surveil her home, the latter of which prompted Doe’s son to relocate in fear for his safety.
Gaye also showed up without permission at a Father’s Day event in 2022, worsening Doe’s emotional trauma and fear, the suit further alleges.
Doe has suffered severe emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, panic attacks and insomnia, the suit states. She also has incurred medical expenses and involuntarily lost up to 30 pounds, according to the suit.
Doe also says she needs security for family events and lives in constant fear for herself and her family.
Gaye, 59, was adopted by Marvin Gaye and Anna Gordy shortly after his birth in November 1965.
Marvin Gaye was a legendary soul singer who was shot and killed by his father at their Los Angeles home in April 1984.