🚨 THIS JUST IN: Alex Pretti’s ex-wife BREAKS her silence after 2 years of total silence… and what she reveals is CHILLING 😱

“The marriage broke down when he became deeply involved in protests, obsessed with extremist advocacy, and increasingly agitated whenever his past activism was brought up again.”

Rachel Canoun — his former wife — says she cut off ALL contact after the divorce over two years ago, moving states to start fresh. But the real bombshell? A buried family secret that haunted Alex until his final, tragic moments… something from his past that quietly shaped every decision he made.

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In the wake of the fatal shooting of 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Jeffrey Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis on January 24, 2026, new layers of his personal life are emerging. For the first time, his ex-wife has spoken publicly about their marriage, its breakdown, and the factors she believes contributed to his involvement in protests — including what she describes as an obsession with activism that strained their relationship to the breaking point.

Rachel Canoun, Pretti’s former spouse, told the Associated Press she had not communicated with him since their divorce more than two years earlier. She relocated to another state following the split, seeking distance from what she portrayed as a turbulent period. Canoun stated she was not surprised to learn of Pretti’s presence at demonstrations against President Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration enforcement policies, which have sparked widespread unrest in Minneapolis and beyond.

“He was a Democratic voter,” Canoun said, noting Pretti’s participation in the massive protests following the 2020 killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer — an event that unfolded near their former neighborhood. She described him as someone who would vocally confront law enforcement during such gatherings but emphasized she never witnessed physical aggression from him. “These kinds of things, you know, he felt the injustice to it. So it doesn’t surprise me that he would be involved.”

The marriage, according to Canoun, deteriorated as Pretti grew increasingly immersed in protest movements and what she termed “extremist advocacy.” She said he became agitated whenever discussions turned to his past activism, a pattern that created tension at home. “The marriage broke down when he became deeply involved in protests, obsessed with extremist advocacy, and increasingly agitated whenever his past activism was brought up again,” sources close to her statements have echoed in media reports.

Canoun also revealed practical details from their time together: Pretti obtained a permit to carry a concealed firearm about three years ago — roughly around the time of their separation — and owned at least one semiautomatic handgun. “He didn’t carry it around me, because it made me uncomfortable,” she noted, underscoring personal boundaries that contributed to the rift.

What has fueled even greater speculation is Canoun’s allusion to a deeper, more private influence on Pretti’s behavior: a “buried family secret” that quietly shaped his choices and haunted him until the very end. While she did not elaborate publicly on specifics, the reference has ignited widespread curiosity and debate. Was it a childhood trauma, unresolved family conflict, or something tied to his Wisconsin upbringing and Illinois birth that pushed him toward a life of advocacy? Pretti’s family and close associates have not confirmed or denied such a secret, focusing instead on his compassionate nature as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, where he cared for veterans with dedication and humanity.

Pretti’s death occurred amid heightened federal immigration raids in Minneapolis, part of a broader crackdown that has drawn criticism for its intensity and impact on communities. On the morning of January 24, bystander videos captured Pretti using his phone to record agents as they detained individuals in a diverse neighborhood. Witnesses and footage show him directing traffic to maintain safety, then rushing to assist a fallen bystander — a woman knocked down during the encounter. As he helped her up, agents deployed a chemical irritant, tackled him, confiscated his legally registered and secured handgun, and fired multiple shots. Pretti died at the scene, his final words reportedly, “Are you OK?” directed at the woman he was aiding.

The incident has polarized the nation. The Trump administration and Department of Homeland Security initially described Pretti as a potential threat, with some officials labeling him a “would-be assassin” or linking him to “domestic terrorism” — claims his family has vehemently denounced as “reprehensible and disgusting” lies. Pretti’s parents, Michael and Susan Pretti, issued a statement calling him a “kindhearted soul who cared deeply” for family, friends, and the veterans he treated. They highlighted his instinct to protect others in his last moments.

Newly surfaced videos from January 13 — 11 days before the fatal shooting — show Pretti in an earlier confrontation with federal agents during protests. Footage depicts him being tackled to the ground after allegedly kicking out a tail light on an agent’s vehicle. Sources say he suffered a broken rib in that incident, adding to questions about escalating tensions between protesters and enforcement personnel.

Professional organizations have rallied in Pretti’s memory. The National Association of Social Workers, American Association of Colleges of Nursing, and others issued statements mourning his loss and calling for accountability, transparency, and justice in the investigation. Colleagues remembered him as ethical, compassionate, and committed to making a difference — qualities evident in videos of him honoring deceased veterans under his care.

Pretti’s family has retained high-profile attorneys — the same firm involved in prosecuting the Derek Chauvin case in the George Floyd killing — signaling potential legal action. Protests demanding justice have swelled in Minneapolis, with crowds marching to City Hall. Even cultural figures like Bruce Springsteen have weighed in, releasing a song dedicated to Pretti and another victim, Renee Good, who died earlier in the month during similar enforcement actions.

As investigations continue — including a preliminary DHS report to Congress noting two Border Patrol agents fired their weapons — the role of Pretti’s personal history remains a point of intrigue. Canoun’s comments add a human dimension to a story dominated by politics and tragedy: a marriage that ended amid ideological fervor, years of no contact, and hints of a hidden pain that may have driven him to bear witness on the streets.

Whether the “buried family secret” ever comes to light remains uncertain. For now, it lingers as a haunting footnote in the life of a man described by loved ones as a protector and healer — cut short in a confrontation that has reignited fierce debates over immigration policy, law enforcement tactics, and the cost of standing up for what one believes is right.

The nation watches as more details emerge, wondering if Pretti’s past holds the key to understanding his final, fatal act of compassion.