(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Mel Gibsons ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva thought he would kill her during an argument earlier this year.

The couple split in April, and have 11-month-old daughter Lucia together. Although the break-up was initially amicable relations soon soured, with Oksana filing for a restraining order, claiming Mel was violent. She alleged he punched her in the face, breaking her teeth, during a January 6 argument, and has now spoken about the incident for the first time.

I thought he would kill me, she told People magazine in an exclusive interview to be published on Friday.

Oksana has alleged she was holding Lucia when the altercation took place. Mel has steadfastly denied harming her, and is reported to have claimed Oksana was shaking the tot.

The Russian singer insists Mel often became angry and was jealous. She alleges he discussed suicide with her, and she also saw him with a gun.

After Oksana filed the restraining order, a number of recordings purporting to be of Mel were leaked online. In them, a man used violent and racist language, and at one point tells a woman said to be Oksana it will be her fault if she is raped and seemingly admits to hitting her.

Oksana has always denied making the tapes public, but admits recording her former lover when they were talking. I needed to document his threats, she told the publication. I'm not angry at him. For the sake of Lucia, I really want him to be well. He has to have the courage to be responsible for what he's done.

Mel declined a request to comment on the story. (C) Cover Media