The mystery behind the disturbing photographs of a badly bruised Paris Hilton has taken a shocking turn. "Extra" has uncovered details that a renowned Hollywood party girl may have beaten up "The Simple Life" star, and not, as rumors suggested, Paris' ex-boyfriend. Two inside sources told "Extra" the fight happened at a Hollywood hotspot late last week, but Paris' people say it's not true.

After the photos surfaced, rumors swirled that the bruises came from Paris' ex, Nick Carter. The New York Post pointed the finger at the Backstreet Boy -- who didn't appear to have a scratch on him -- though Carter insisted he didn't do it, saying, "I love that girl."

Now, for the first time Carter is talking publicly about the incident. Nick's lawyer told Us Weekly that Carter has never touched Paris, and he doesn't know where she got the bruises, but they didn't come from Nick. BJ Sigesmund, staff editor of Us Weekly, told "Extra" that Hilton and Carter split two weeks ago, which we learned after Carter went public about their relationship in a national magazine.

"They have a history of an on-and-off relationship," Sigesmund said. "They've broken up many times over the seven months that they were dating."

As this complicated saga continues, Paris wraps her "Simple Life" on TV with a special one-hour finale Wednesday night on FOX. For the latest on Paris Hilton and Nick Carter's fiasco, tune into Tuesday's edition of "Extra."