José & Jessica Canseco: Steroids, Domestic Violence, and Two Decades of Social Media Drama
He hit her. He used steroids. They divorced. Twenty years later, he's still tweeting about her.
Key Facts
What Happened
José Canseco was baseball's most controversial figure — a six-time All-Star and 1988 AL MVP who would later blow the whistle on baseball's steroid era in his 2005 tell-all book 'Juiced.' In August 1996, he married Jessica Sekely, and their daughter Josie was born just months later in November. The marriage was turbulent from the start, marked by Canseco's steroid use, volatile temper, and escalating domestic violence.
In November 1997, Canseco was arrested for domestic violence after allegedly striking Jessica in the head and face during an argument in a friend's car in Miami. He pleaded no contest to the charges and was sentenced to one year of probation. It was not his first brush with domestic violence charges. Jessica would later describe the marriage as toxic and frightening, detailing how steroid use amplified Canseco's aggression and mood swings.
The couple divorced in 1999 after just three years of marriage. Jessica reportedly received between $5 and $8 million in the settlement, plus child support estimated at $6,800 per month for their daughter Josie. Jessica went on to build her own career, eventually starring in VH1's Hollywood Exes (2012–2014), a reality show following former wives of celebrities.
But the story didn't end with the divorce. In March 2019 — two full decades after the split — Canseco took to Twitter to publicly accuse his ex-wife Jessica of having an affair with Alex Rodriguez, who was then engaged to Jennifer Lopez. He tweeted that he had personally witnessed A-Rod calling Jessica and offered to take a polygraph test. Jessica responded in her first tweet since 2013, calling the allegations 'false' and dismissing Canseco as a man with 'alien friends' (referencing his well-known belief in extraterrestrials). The episode demonstrated that some divorces never truly end when one party refuses to move on.
Legal Breakdown: Domestic Violence Allegations
Domestic Violence and Divorce Settlements
Canseco's no-contest plea to domestic violence charges significantly impacted his divorce position. In many states, documented domestic violence can result in a larger property share for the victim, mandatory restraining orders, supervised visitation, and unfavorable custody determinations. Jessica's legal team likely used the criminal record as leverage in settlement negotiations, contributing to the multi-million dollar payout despite a relatively short marriage.
Substance Abuse as a Divorce Factor
Canseco's acknowledged steroid use was not just a baseball scandal — it was a marital factor. Anabolic steroids are known to cause 'roid rage,' mood instability, and aggressive behavior. In divorce proceedings, a spouse's substance abuse (including steroids) can be used as evidence of unfitness in custody determinations, as grounds for at-fault divorce in applicable states, and as justification for protective orders. Jessica's description of steroids 'permanently damaging' Jose's body and behavior would have been relevant in custody discussions.
Post-Divorce Harassment via Social Media
Canseco's 2019 Twitter accusations against Jessica — twenty years after the divorce — illustrate a modern legal issue: post-divorce harassment through social media. While his tweets may not meet the legal threshold for defamation (public figures face a higher bar), they demonstrate how ex-spouses can use social media to harass, embarrass, or manipulate former partners. In many jurisdictions, persistent unwanted contact through social media can be grounds for a harassment restraining order, even decades after divorce.
What This Means for Your Divorce
- →If your spouse is arrested for domestic violence, document everything and immediately consult an attorney — a criminal record dramatically strengthens your divorce position.
- →Steroid use and substance abuse are relevant factors in custody and divorce proceedings. Keep records of your spouse's substance use, including behavioral changes and incidents.
- →Divorce doesn't always end the conflict. If your ex-spouse harasses you on social media years later, consult an attorney about restraining orders and defamation claims.
- →No-contest pleas to criminal charges are not the same as being found not guilty — they create a record that can be used in civil proceedings including divorce and custody.
Going Through a Divorce?
Get confidential guidance tailored to your situation — free, private, and available 24/7.
Related Cases
Johnny Depp & Amber Heard
United States · 2016–2022
A divorce that became a global defamation trial watched by millions
Abuse & SafetyDeion Sanders & Pilar Sanders
United States · 2013
She said he hit her. He said she hit him. She was arrested. He won $2.2 million in defamation.
Abuse & SafetyPamela Anderson & Tommy Lee
United States · 1998
They married 96 hours after meeting, their stolen sex tape pioneered the revenge porn era, and his domestic violence arrest ended it all — the most chaotic celebrity marriage ever
Abuse & Safety¿Te fue útil? Ayúdanos a mantenerlo gratis.
divorce911.ai se financia completamente con donaciones. Cada dólar mantiene al asistente IA y las 1,700+ guías gratis para personas en crisis.
Know someone going through a divorce? This could help them.
This article is based on publicly available court records, news reports, and legal analysis. It is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this content.
Divorce laws vary by jurisdiction. Always consult a licensed attorney in your area before making legal decisions.