Ex-wife of nightclub king Darren ‘Razzle’ Thornburgh reveals pair’s toxic relationship

THE ex-wife of deceased nightclub king Darren “Razzle” Thornburgh has spoken of the pair’s toxic relationship and her attempts at forgiveness as lawyers try to uncover his empire.

Ms Foster described her former husband as funny, generous and an intelligent man.

THE ex-wife of nightclub king Darren “Razzle” Thornburgh has spoken of the pair’s toxic relationship and her attempts at forgiveness as lawyers try to uncover his empire.

The former owner of celebrity haunt Boutique is believed to have not written up a will and a hunt is now underway for the missing millions, assets including properties, cars and money stashed in hidden areas.

DRUGS, BIKIES AND A BREAKUP: RAZZLE’S LAST DAYS

BOUTIQUE OWNER FOUND DEAD IN BARMAH

As authorities attempt to sort out the financial mess gripping the family, ex-wife Denise Foster has broken her silence saying while the pair’s breakup was ugly, Thornburgh’s lonely death at his rural holiday house last month was difficult to comprehend. His colourful past initially promoted thoughts of a murder as a gun was found next to his body, but it was later determined he died by his own hand.

“For me, I do have a sense of quiet relief. I am happy he is at peace. I hope he is at peace,” she said.

Darren Thornburgh and Denise Foster in happier times.

“He is out of his pain and torment. Now I can have some relief in my life too.

“This has had a terrible impact on us and the children are devastated. I still have respect for him — he’s the father of my two children.”

Thornburgh, father of two girls, was battling a drug addiction which was at its worst when ice entered his mix of cocaine and booze. Three to five day drug binges were consuming his life.

But it can be revealed police found no drugs at his Barmah property, about 250km north of Melbourne, and no suicide note.

Thornburgh was evicted in October from the Greville Street premises where he hosted a steady stream of Hollywood celebrities, pop stars and sports stars, after a failed year-long negotiation for a new lease.

There was no love lost between Thornburgh and Ms Foster.

The Herald Sun understands Thornburgh was violent towards her and had even tied her up on at least one occasion.

She would not elaborate on her hell except to say: “He wasn’t pleasant to me at all. He did make my life very difficult.”

Thornburgh devoted himself to Boutique. Picture: Stuart McEvoy

Thornburgh became a target of bikies and standover men.

Ms Foster said it was “terrifying” to have shots fired at her car and home. Picture: Hamish Blair

Ms Foster described her former husband as funny, generous and an intelligent man.

But after 21 years together, she said there was a shift in him, and he couldn’t see life past Boutique.

“He wasn’t a well man and had a lot of demons. He wasn’t the person I had met,” she said.

“He probably never thought I’d leave him, but I had no choice, I had to get out. It ended very badly.”

Ms Foster lashed out at those who called him a friend and blamed them for contributing to his downward spiral.

“People who did care for him he pushed away and he was only left with the nightclub vultures and leaches,” she said.

“Where were they when he was being sad and lonely and fighting his demons.”

Ms Foster said she had urged him during their marriage to seek help for mental issues and recently some friends had told Thornburgh to get help and go into rehabilitation.

The former dancer and choreographer said all she ever wanted was to have a civil relationship with Thornburgh for the children’s sake and was ready to forgive and let the past go.

“If he came up to me and said ‘let’s stop fighting and be amicable’, my god, that’s all I ever wished for and that’s all my girls ever wanted,” she said.

“I was the love of his life and he was mine. We did everything together. We had lots of fun and had an amazing time together — I like to look at those days because the last 10 years were not fun.”

Ms Foster believes if he had fallen in love again, his life would’ve taken a different path but he had devoted himself to Boutique, which also made him a target of bikies and standover men wanting to steal the venue from him.

During the club war, Boutique was targeted during a drive by shooting, then days later Ms Foster said it was “terrifying” to have five shots fired at her car and Port Melbourne home while she and her youngest daughter were sleeping.

[e-mail]

@AleksDevic