Bobbi Kristina Brown confided in a pal about Nick Gordon

Alex told E! News: "Pretty soon after we met she started telling me about the times he had been physically abusive and it just kept escalating. It just kept getting worse and worse.

"She would Facetime me whenever she was distraught. When something had just happened or show me a bruise. He was known to choke her, definitely. Throw her into walls. Punch her in the jaw. Just like unbelievable stuff."

Meanwhile, Nick - who has denied all the claims made against him - has also been hit with a lawsuit over allegations he knocked her teeth out.

In a statement, Bobbi Kristina's conservator Bedelia Hargrove said: "I filed a lawsuit on behalf of Bobbi Kristina Brown. I filed this lawsuit to pursue justice on behalf of Bobbi Kristina Brown. No human being, male or female, should endure what Bobbi Kristina endured. Pat Houston [her aunt] and Bobby Brown have done all they can to take care of Bobbi Kristina since this terrible tragedy occurred.

"I have worked closely with both of them and we all want the very best for Bobbi Kristina. This lawsuit represents our collective efforts to get justice for Bobbi Kristina. We pray that justice will be done for her and that it will be swift."