Oksana: "Mel Tried to Kill Me"

In latest public counterattack, Gibson's ex sits down with People to chronicle their explosive relationship

No tapes, no lawyers, no leaks. For the first time in months, Mel Gibson's ex and baby mama Oksana Grigorieva is talking about her explosive relationship with the movie star in a wide-ranging interview in People.

And she's not holding back...

Grigorieva, 40, reveals details about the incident that led to the demise of their relationship and launched a criminal investigation into possible domestic abuse charges.

"I thought he would kill me," Grigorieva says of the night last January during which Gibson, 54, allegedly hit her while she was holding their baby, Lucia.

Gibson has disputed the tale, saying he tried to "intervene" while she held the baby.

The Russian-born pianist and singer also addresses why she taped Gibson's angry phone calls. "I needed to document his threats," she says, but still insists she has no idea who leaked the tapes.

"I'm not angry at him," she adds. "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."