Leighton Vander Esch’s father, a former linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys, was taken into custody on Sunday on a number of domestic violence-related offenses, including attempted strangling.
According to the Lewistown Tribune and TMZ, Darwin Vander Esch, 61, was cited for misdemeanor intentional destruction of a telecommunication device and misdemeanor domestic assault after being arrested for felony attempted strangling.
According to a news release from the Idaho County Sheriff’s Office, a domestic battery incident was reported at 12:26 a.m. on Sunday along Seven Devils Road outside of Riggins.
When police arrived on the scene, Vander Esch was taken into custody. He is being held without bond at the moment.
Leighton Vander Esch attended Boise State to play football and was raised in Riggins. In the 2018 NFL Draft, the Cowboys selected him in the first round.
After spending six seasons with the Cowboys, Leighton Vander Esch recorded 469 tackles, 3.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and three interceptions. He was named to the Pro Bowl and All-Pro team, according to TMZ. Due to injuries he received on the field, he retired in March of this year.
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