Desiree Washington got media attention because of her one-time connection with a notorious boxer, Mike Tyson. She is the famous subject who accused Tyson of raping her in 1991. The former world heavyweight champion denied the accusations. But, Tyson was still sentenced to six years in jail.
It has been over three decades since the incident, but people haven’t forgotten Washington. They’re still curious to know her whereabouts and more. Let’s find out.
Key Takeaways
- Desiree Washington came to the media limelight after she accused boxer Mike Tyson of rape.
- Tyson denied the allegations, but he was sentenced to prison nevertheless.
- Washington won a couple of beauty pageants before she was raped by the renowned boxer.
- After the incident, she has been living a low-key life.
What Happened to Desiree Washington?
Well, she was raped by the boxer Mike Tyson. Washington met Tyson at a beauty pageant in Indianapolis where the latter was one of the guests. A day after their first meeting, the pageant winner reported the boxer had raped her as she checked into the emergency room of the Methodist Hospital.
The rape trial took place in the Marion County superior court from January 26 to February 10, 1992. Tyson’s then-chauffeur also testified in the courtroom.
Tyson And Desiree Were In a Limousine Prior To Hotel Room Incident
Apparently, the beauty pageant winner and the boxer were in a limousine. Tyson claims that they made out for a brief in the car while on the other hand, Washington argues she was surprised by the boxer’s unusual approach.
Desiree Washington Explained Why She Went To Meet Tyson At 1:30 In The Night
During her talk with the Times, Miss Black Rhode Island explained why she went to meet Tyson in the middle of the night. She reiterated that she went out with the athlete at 1:30 a.m. just because her father, brother, and grandfather were his big fans.
Tyson Pleaded Not Guilty of Raping Desiree Washington
Mike claimed everything happened with Washington’s full consent and explained not to have forced himself upon her. The boxer denied the claims that he had misled Washington and stressed that she wanted to have sex with him.
After the jury deliberated the case for nearly 10 hours, they convicted Tyson on the rape charge on February 10, 1992. On March 26, 1992, Tyson received six years in prison along with four years of probation. However, Mike was released in March 1995 after serving less than three years.
Desiree Washington’s Ex-Boyfriend Spoke Against Her In The Court
For a while amidst the court battle, it looked like Washington would lose the case. This was after a former boyfriend of hers gave an affidavit claiming that Washington once claimed that he had raped her after they had consensual sex when she was 16 years old. Washington, however, denied the accusations.
The statement, however, didn’t have a significant effect in the final hearings, whatsoever.
How is Desiree Washington’s Life After The Rape?
After the case was closed, Washington gradually vanished from the media. Little to nothing is known about Desiree’s whereabouts. Her only ever interview post the Tyson fiasco was in 1992 when she appeared in an interview with Barbara Walters.
During the talk, she revealed how the case changed her from being a social person to someone who started to sit all day in her room. The former model added the public blamed her for the incident and accused her of putting herself in danger, knowing Tyson’s violent history.
In 1995, the Los Angeles Times reported that Washington was residing in Rhode Island with her mother and was set to graduate with a degree in psychology.
Other Consequences Desiree Faced After The Rape Incident
After the terrible incident, the Rhode Island native pursued a civil lawsuit against Tyson seeking unspecified damages from the attack, as she lost her childhood home. The case became one of the reasons for Desiree’s parents’ divorce. Moreover, they even had to sell their home.
Afterward, Washington and her mother started living in a working-class neighborhood in East Providence, R.I.
Desiree Washington Once Lived A Comfortable Life With Her Family
Washington was born around 1973. When she was young, her family owned a ranch-style home with a swimming pool and a deck in a small town south of Providence in Rhode Island.
Her parents Donald and Mary Belle Silva Washington raised three children including her. There was Washington’s older brother, Don Jr., and an adopted sister. Dez was 10 years old when her parents took guardianship of Dorrae in 1984. Desiree’s adopted sister was three years younger than her.
Desiree Was Popular in High Shcool
Washington went to Coventry High School where she was a varsity cheerleader and played in the school’s championship softball team. She used to work as a cashier at Kmart that summer between high school and college.
Dez studied at Providence College graduating in May 1995 with a psychology major. In her senior year, she was also a goodwill ambassador to Moscow, the only black in a group of 34 students from across the country.
Desiree Washington Is A Former Beauty Pageant Winner
In 1991, Washington won the beauty pageant, Miss Black Rhode Island. She was 18 at the time. That year, she also participated in Miss Black America.
Desiree Once Had A Serious Romantic Relationship
Washington had one serious boyfriend since that night in an Indianapolis hotel room. But that relationship ended soon after Dez visited the boy’s family.
Also the details as to who the boy was or why did the relationship end, never got out. As for the present, it is unclear, if Washington is married or not.
What Is Desiree Washington Doing In The Present?
Whatever happened to Desiree in the past, her life seems to settle down for her at present. As it appears, the former assault victim is nowhere to be found; at least in the vicinage of the media and tabloids.
People constantly attacked Desiree and her family and they could no longer live a healthy normal life ever again. As such, it was only natural for Washington to go completely covert for the rest of her life.
Also Read About Mike Tyson’s Ex-Wife Monica Turner: Untold Details
FAQs
Desiree Washington is 50 years old as of 2023. She was born in 1973.
Washington is a former model. But, she has long been away from the modeling world. So, at present, it is not known what she does for a living.
Washington has maintained a life away from the spotlight after she was raped by Mike Tyson. Back then, she was in a relationship with a boyfriend, but it’s not known if she is married or dating any boyfriend at present.
