OnlyFans model Michaela Rylaarsdam has been sentenced in the 2023 death of Michael Dale, who she was hired to perform fetish acts on, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Rylaarsdam is set to be sentenced to four years after pleading guilty for involuntary manslaughter last month. Dale, an Escondido, California man, who was 55-years-old at his time of death, died from suffocation during a BDSM performance filmed for Rylaarsdam’s OnlyFans account. The man was described in court as being fragile in stature and having underlying health issues like high blood pressure and diabetes.
Dale’s wrists were bound, and a plastic bag, Saran Wrap and duct tape were placed over his head during the act, and after eight minutes, the OnlyFans model called 911 when Dale was unresponsive. Dale, who reportedly hired Rylaarsdam for $11,000, was declared brain dead the following day. During the sentencing, a tearful Rylaarsdam gave an emotional apology to Dale’s family.
“I was going back and forth as to whether I should say something, and if I would say the wrong thing,” Rylaarsdam said, according to Courthouse News. But it would be a poor example to my children if I did not. When something bad happens, we need to take ownership.”
Rylaarsdam, who shares three sons with her husband and manager Brandon, added that she had “a million emotions” after her client’s death and explained that the desire to undo his suffocation would “be at the top” of her list. The OnlyFans model has been in jail since February 2025 and originally faced a sentence of 25 years to life in prison. Rylaarsdam may spend just over a year in prison after being credited with time served.
