Remember David Norton? Back in 2015, he was the guy everyone felt sorry for. He seemed like the ultimate "nice guy" who just wanted to be loved. He was paired with Ashley Doherty on Season 3 of Married at First Sight (MAFS), and to the average viewer, she looked like the villain. She was cold. She was distant. She basically refused to even look at him.
But then, the cameras stopped rolling and the police reports started leaking.
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Suddenly, the "nice guy" narrative fell apart. What followed was one of the messiest downfalls in reality TV history, involving a domestic violence scandal, a failed spinoff, and a complete vanishing act from the public eye. Honestly, if you only watched the show and never checked the headlines, you missed the real story.
The Disastrous Match with Ashley Doherty
David and Ashley were a train wreck from the jump.
David, an IT project manager from Atlanta, came across as a hopeless romantic. Ashley was a nursing student who clearly wasn't feeling the physical attraction. For weeks, we watched David try to buy her affection with flowers and "gentlemanly" gestures while she pulled further away.
Things peaked when Ashley accused David of "cheating" after he asked another woman out for drinks during the experiment. He claimed it was just a friendly meeting to get advice on his marriage. She didn't buy it. By Decision Day, it wasn't a surprise to anyone when she asked for a divorce.
But here’s the thing: while fans were busy sending Ashley death threats for being "mean," she was apparently dealing with a side of David the show didn't want us to see.
The Shocking Criminal Record Producers Missed
Shortly after their season aired, In Touch Weekly dropped a bombshell. In 2007, David had been arrested for disorderly conduct and criminal damage involving an ex-girlfriend.
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The details were grim. According to the police report, David’s own brother called the cops because David was allegedly being violent. When police arrived, they reportedly saw David throw a woman to the ground. There were even allegations that he had threatened to slit her throat.
Ashley was blindsided. She later told the press she felt "duped" and "let down" by the show's experts and producers. They promised thorough background checks. They didn't mention a violent past.
Why Did He Get a Second Chance?
Despite the scandal, Lifetime did something weird. They gave David his own spinoff: Married at First Sight: Second Chances.
It was basically The Bachelor but for MAFS rejects. David had a pool of women competing for him, and this is where his "nice guy" mask truly slipped for the fans. He came across as possessive and shallow. He obsessed over women who clearly weren't into him (like Melika) while ignoring the ones who actually showed interest.
In the finale, he told Tara—a fan favorite—that he loved her, only to dump her minutes later at the final ceremony. He left the show single. Again.
Where is David Norton Now?
After the Second Chances finale in 2017, David basically went underground. He stopped being the "face" of the franchise.
Most of what we know now comes from small social media updates and tragic family news. In 2020, David shared that his sister, Carrie, had passed away unexpectedly. It was a rare moment of genuine vulnerability that shifted the focus away from his reality TV drama.
As of 2026, David has stayed away from the spotlight. He hasn't appeared on any more dating shows. Honestly, that’s probably for the best. While he’s popped up in very brief cameos—like a blink-and-you-miss-it appearance in the Love Is Blind Season 1 finale—he’s no longer chasing reality TV fame.
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Meanwhile, Ashley Doherty has moved on completely. She’s a registered nurse, married a man named Julian Alvarez, and they have a son. She got the "happily ever after" she wanted; it just didn't involve a camera crew.
Actionable Insights for Reality TV Fans
- Take the "Villain Edit" with a grain of salt. Ashley was hated by the public until the truth about David’s past came out. Reality TV editing is powerful, but it's rarely the whole truth.
- Background checks aren't foolproof. Even major networks like Lifetime and A&E miss (or ignore) red flags for the sake of good television.
- Privacy is a choice. David’s disappearance from the public eye shows that even the most controversial reality stars can eventually choose a quiet life.
If you’re still following the latest MAFS seasons, keep an eye on how the "experts" vet the contestants. The David Norton saga remains the primary reason fans are so skeptical of the show's "rigorous" screening process.