Who Is Isaiah Silva — And Why Is He Suing Courtney Love?
Would Courtney Love murder Silva over a guitar?
instagram Anyone who grew up listening to music in the 1990s remembers Nirvana, especially frontman Kurt Cobain. The world followed along when he married Hole lead singer Courtney Love in February 1992, and again when their daughter Frances Bean Cobain was born in August of the same year. Cobain committed suicide in 1994, leaving behind his wife, daughter, and a giant legacy.
In 2014, Frances Bean married musician Isaiah Silva, filing for divorce less than two years later. Since their split, things have become extremely messy between the two, even involving Courtney Love in a lawsuit.
But who is Isaiah Silva and why is he suing Courtney Love? Here are 7 things to know about Frances Bean’s ex-husband, their relationship, and the lawsuit against Love.
1. He has a band.
Silva is in a band, The Eeries, where he provides lead vocals and plays the guitar. They released one EP in late 2014 and have performed on Late Night with Seth Meyers. Other than this, they haven’t known mainstream success.
2. He has a child from a previous relationship.
Silva has a 9-year-old daughter, Arlo, with his ex-girlfriend, Jessica Sullivan. Though Sullivan is a lesbian, the two share custody.
3. He was married to Cobain’s daughter.
Perhaps what he's most famous for is marrying Cobain’s only child, Frances Bean. The two were married in 2014, eventually divorcing in 2016, leading to a contentious, hate-filled, and ongoing fight.
4. Apparently, he's obsessed with Kurt.
According to Page Six, an insider close to the family said that Silva is a “dangerous sycophant that refuses to end his campaign of terror towards the Cobain family and their friends” because he's obsessed with Kurt Cobain.
“[Silva] will stop at nothing to try and gain possession of Kurt’s belongings as witnessed in this baseless lawsuit in which he completely made up absurd unimaginable and somewhat laughable allegations to support his delusions. It is our belief he thinks he is a reincarnation of Kurt; he tries to look like him and dress like him.”
It’s true there is an uncanny resemblance between Silva and Cobain, if you look closely enough. But to think you’re his reincarnate? Get lost.
5. In the divorce settlement, he won possession of Cobain’s famous guitar.
The 1959 Martin D-18E guitar is not only extremely rare but was adapted so left-handed Cobain could play it upside down. Cobain played it on MTV Unplugged in 1993, and it was once insured for $1 million and could be worth much, much more.
It’s no wonder Silva fought so hard for Cobain’s guitar! Still, what kind of person tries to take away a family heirloom? According to Us Weekly, Frances Bean was so exhausted by his harassment that she “forfeited her late father’s guitar to Isaiah in hopes he would just go away, but unfortunately that failed... [Cobain] would not want this and Courtney will not allow any of it.”
6. There are allegations Silva was abusive.
The source also mentioned that, in the fight over the guitar, Frances wanted to end “years of psychological, substance and emotional abuse.” However, according to the source, “that failed to stop his unquenchable and voracious determination to harass the family and friends of America's most iconic rock musicians in the history of alternative music.”
7. He’s suing Courtney Love for attempted murder.
Photo: Getty Images
Silva is suing Love for trying to murder him over Kurt’s guitar. Love and Sam Lufti, Britney Spears’ former manager, allegedly terrorized Silva, as well as stalked and harassed his ex, Jessica Sullivan. Sullivan recounts that Lufti tried to bribe her, calling her and saying, “I'll put you in the street you f***ing c***. You d***, f***ing b****... Your kid will be in an orphanage.”
Now, this is where the story gets crazy. On June 3, 2016, Silva says Lufti and other co-conspirators broke into his home, assaulted him, robbed him, sexually battered him, and tried to murder him so they could gain possession of the guitar. Silva also claims that Lufti provided illegal narcotics to Frances Bean and Love.
The other co-conspirators named were John Nazarian, 13 Reasons Why actor Ross Butler, and musician Michael Schenk. According to Silva, the gang entered his home by pretending to be the police and banging on the door. He claims Lutfi grabbed his genitals through his pants, came close to his face, and whispered, “Listen f*****, calm the f*** down or we'll drag you upstairs and take turns f****** you.”
We'll continue to update this story as we know more.
Samantha Maffucci is an associate editor for YourTango. In her free time, you can find her obsessing about cats, wine, and all things Vanderpump Rules.