An OnlyFans creator has pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter after a fetish session in California ended in the death of a client.

Michaela Rylaarsdam, 32, initially faced a murder charge following the April 2023 death of 56-year-old Michael Dale. Prosecutors later agreed to reduce the charge as part of a plea deal.

What Happened During the Encounter

According to court documents, Dale had reportedly paid Rylaarsdam thousands of dollars for a private fetish session involving “mummification,” a practice where a person is tightly wrapped or restrained.

Investigators said messages between the pair showed Dale requested to be wrapped in plastic and have women’s boots attached to his feet as part of the scenario.

However, prosecutors argued there was no evidence Dale requested a plastic bag to be placed over his head or tape applied over his mouth.

Police later found Dale unresponsive at the scene and he was transported to a hospital, where he was eventually declared brain dead due to asphyxiation.

Murder Charge Reduced in Plea Deal

Authorities originally charged Rylaarsdam with murder after investigators concluded the plastic bag had remained over Dale’s head for several minutes.

Last week, she pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter in a deal with prosecutors.

According to reports, she is expected to receive a four-year custodial sentence when she appears in court for sentencing next month.

Defense Argued There Was No Intent to Kill

Rylaarsdam’s attorneys argued throughout the case that there was no intention to harm Dale and noted that she called emergency services, attempted CPR, and stayed at the scene after realizing something had gone wrong.

Her legal team also pointed to the consensual nature of the arranged encounter, though prosecutors maintained certain actions went beyond what had allegedly been discussed beforehand.

Renewed Debate Around Dangerous Fetish Practices

The case has reignited online discussions about the risks associated with extreme fetish activities, particularly those involving restricted breathing or restraint.

Safety experts have repeatedly warned that practices involving suffocation or immobilization can quickly become fatal, even when participants believe precautions are being taken.

The incident has also drawn wider attention because of the growing overlap between online adult content platforms and private in-person encounters arranged through social media or subscription services.