Theresa Nist Alleges Ex-Husband Gerry Turner Made Dark Threat

PETERSBURG, Ind. — Gerry Turner, known as the first “Golden Bachelor,” faces serious allegations from his ex-wife, Theresa Nist. Nist revealed disturbing comments made by Turner during their brief marriage on the Nov. 4 episode of the “Dear Shandy” podcast.

Nist recounted a walk they took around a lake called Pretty Lake, where Turner allegedly pointed to a shed and said, “Well, that’s where I’m going to hide your body after I kill you and chop you up.” She noted that he wasn’t laughing, which added a layer of unease to his words. “If this was his idea of a joke, that was pretty dark humor,” she said.

Despite the shocking comment, Nist stated that she did not believe Turner would actually harm her. “I don’t think that was true. It’s not true, but it just spoke to an underlying feeling about me,” she explained, suggesting there was animosity in the statement.

Nist and Turner’s marriage began in January 2024 after they got engaged on the season finale of the ABC reality show. They divorced just three months later, citing “irreconcilable differences.” In his upcoming memoir, “Golden Years: What I’ve Learned from Love, Loss, and Reality TV,” Turner acknowledged feeling trapped in the marriage, admitting he rushed into the wedding.

Turner’s memoir mentions the pain he felt for hurting Nist, stating, “It was a monumental mistake, but it’s always easy to have 20/20 hindsight.” His comments about their marriage reportedly upset Nist as she felt he recalled events differently than she did.

Nist, feeling she had to speak out, said publishing the memoir left her no choice but to share her side. “I just felt forced,” she shared. “It was really a matter of, if you have nothing good to say just don’t say anything.” Despite the turmoil, she emphasized her hopes for Turner to find happiness.

As of July 2025, Turner is engaged to Lana Sutton, reflecting on his new outlook on life post-cancer diagnosis. He expressed a commitment to live fully and embrace new experiences.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Turner’s representatives for comments regarding Nist’s allegations.