- Michaela Rylaarsdam pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the death of client Michael Dale during a recorded bondage encounter.
- Dale paid over $11,000 for the encounter, which included his wrists bound and suffocating materials applied.
- The incident, occurring in April 2023, resulted in Dale's death by asphyxiation, ruled a homicide by the medical examiner.
ESCONDIDO, CALIFORNIA — A fatal encounter inside a Southern California home has ended in a guilty plea after prosecutors said an OnlyFans creator recorded a client while he was bound and struggling to breathe. The case adds to a series of California criminal cases involving alleged reckless conduct behind closed doors, including one where a California mother was convicted after her toddler drowned while she used dating apps.
Michaela Rylaarsdam, 32, pleaded guilty Wednesday to involuntary manslaughter in the death of 55-year-old Michael Dale. She had initially been charged with second-degree murder, but under the plea agreement, she is expected to receive a 4-year state prison sentence.
Client Paid for Recorded Encounter
The fatal incident happened in April 2023 at Dale’s home in Escondido, located in San Diego County. Prosecutors said Dale paid Rylaarsdam more than $11,000 for a private encounter that involved bondage and recorded adult content.
Authorities alleged that videos from the encounter showed Dale with his wrists bound while a plastic bag, Saran Wrap, and duct tape were placed around his head and mouth.
Because Dale’s limbs were restrained, prosecutors said he could not remove the items himself.
Prosecutors Say He Was Left Without Air
Investigators said Dale remained with the covering around his head for several minutes. Prosecutors alleged the oxygen deprivation caused him to become unresponsive.
Rylaarsdam eventually called 911 and attempted CPR, according to reports. Dale was taken to a hospital and later declared brain dead. He died the following day.
The medical examiner determined his death was caused by asphyxiation. His death was ruled a homicide.
Original Murder Charge Reduced
Rylaarsdam was originally charged with second-degree murder after investigators reviewed evidence from the encounter. Prosecutors alleged some of the footage was connected to content recorded for her OnlyFans account.
Her attorney has argued that Rylaarsdam did not intend to kill Dale and said the encounter included consensual elements. However, prosecutors maintained that consent did not eliminate criminal responsibility for the fatal outcome.
On Wednesday, Rylaarsdam pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter as part of a plea deal.
Expected Prison Sentence
Rylaarsdam is expected to be sentenced next month to 4 years in state prison.
The plea avoids a murder trial that could have carried a much longer potential sentence if she had been convicted on the original charge.
The case has drawn attention because of its overlap between adult content, paid encounters, consent, and criminal liability when a private act turns fatal.
To watch more cases about private encounters that turned deadly, check out our video here:
