A 31-year-old OnlyFans creator, Michaela Rylaarsdam, has been charged with second-degree murder following the death of a 56-year-old man, Michael Dale, during a paid fetish encounter at Dale’s home in Escondido, California. The incident, which occurred in April 2023, has sparked outrage and raised questions about the risks associated with adult content creation on platforms like OnlyFans.
According to police reports and an arrest warrant affidavit filed by the Escondido Police Department, Dale paid Rylaarsdam more than $11,000 to perform BDSM acts, including wrapping him in saran wrap “like a mummy,” gluing women’s boots on him, and sealing his eyes shut with glue. During the four-hour encounter, Dale allegedly suffocated, with a plastic bag, saran wrap, and duct tape found tightly secured around his head and neck. Video footage recovered from Rylaarsdam’s cellphone showed Dale lying unresponsive while she performed a sexual act next to him, intending to post the content on her OnlyFans account.
Rylaarsdam, a mother of three, operated her OnlyFans account with the knowledge and assistance of her husband, Brandon, who helped run the “business.” Despite her claims of not placing the bag on Dale’s head, prosecutors argue that the evidence, including video of Dale struggling to breathe, supports the murder charge. Dale was rushed to the hospital but was later taken off life support, with the San Diego County medical examiner’s office ruling his death a homicide by asphyxiation.
The case has drawn significant attention on social media, with users expressing shock and questioning why the incident has not garnered more widespread media coverage. One X user, Mickamious, commented, “So OF has led to the death of a man… Wonder why this isn’t world news everywhere… Oh wait, it was a dude that died,” highlighting potential gender biases in public and media responses to such tragedies.
Rylaarsdam is currently being held without bail in a San Diego jail, pending further legal proceedings. The incident has reignited debates about the safety and ethical boundaries of adult content platforms, especially as OnlyFans has faced scrutiny in the past, including a controversial 2021 announcement to ban sexually explicit content—later reversed—amid concerns over content moderation and user safety.
Authorities are continuing their investigation, and child welfare agencies are reportedly assessing the situation of Rylaarsdam’s three children, given the nature of her activities and the involvement of her husband. The case serves as a grim reminder of the potential dangers lurking within the unregulated corners of online adult content creation, leaving many to question the accountability of platforms like OnlyFans in preventing such tragedies.