What began as an afternoon reunion between Jack Nicholson’s eldest grandson, Sean Knight Nicholson, and his ex-girlfriend Elizabeth Lawlor allegedly ended in violence, leaving Lawlor hospitalized with serious injuries — and Nicholson facing a felony domestic violence charge.
A Meeting Meant for Reconnection Turns Into a Nightmare
On July 23, Lawlor, 28, agreed to meet Nicholson, 29, in Venice, California, after he reached out claiming he wanted to reconnect as friends following an alleged rehab stay. According to a police report obtained by PEOPLE, Nicholson — a recovering addict allegedly diagnosed with schizophrenia — had a history of mixing prescription medications with illicit drugs.
Their relationship, which began in April 2023, was marked by multiple breakups, reconciliations, and documented domestic violence allegations.
That day, Nicholson allegedly told Lawlor via text that he had taken an entire bottle of Valium and threatened suicide if she didn’t come. Concerned for his safety, Lawlor went to his apartment despite months of no contact. What started as a tense conversation soon erupted into an argument over infidelity and alleged drug use. Lawlor reportedly grabbed Nicholson’s phone to check for evidence, which escalated the situation.
According to the report, Nicholson allegedly grabbed Lawlor by the neck and head, throwing her into a hard object. She claimed she lost consciousness, waking to discover part of her front tooth broken.
Hospitalization, Arrest, and Legal Fallout
Dazed and injured, Lawlor fled but was located by a security guard. Nicholson then escorted her back upstairs. Later, Lawlor sent injury photos to Nicholson’s mother, Jennifer Nicholson, who called 911. Police photographed the injuries, and Lawlor was transported to Marina Del Rey Hospital, where she underwent treatment for a chipped tooth, stitches, and facial injuries.
On August 7, LAPD arrested Nicholson on a felony charge of “corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant,” later booked as aggravated assault with a deadly weapon — described in the report as “hands, feet and teeth.” He was released the same night on $50,000 bond and is due in court August 26. If convicted, he faces up to four years in state prison.
Lawlor has since obtained a temporary restraining order against Nicholson, with a court hearing set for September 2. Nicholson has not publicly responded to the allegations. PEOPLE reports they have reached out to his representatives, his mother, and Jack Nicholson’s camp for comment.
Nicholson is the son of designer Jennifer Nicholson and former husband Mark Norfleet. He studied film at Emerson College and now works as a music producer. Lawlor, meanwhile, is pursuing a master’s degree in psychology at Pepperdine University.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free, confidential, and available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.