Fans Only star admits to strangling a SoCal man during the filming of a monster movie
A California OnlyFans creator accused of continuing to make a hit film while a customer was breathing in her own home has pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in a disturbing BDSM case that rocked the Escondido community.
Michaela Rylaarsdam, 32, accepted a plea deal last week after prosecutors charged her with manslaughter in the death of Michael Dale, 56, who died following the shooting in April 2023.
The plea deal reduced the charge to involuntary manslaughter, meaning prosecutors concluded he had no regard for human life but did not intend to kill him, according to the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office.
Rylaarsdam is expected to receive a maximum sentence of four years in state prison on June 8.
He has been held without bail at the Las Colinas Detention Facility since his arrest in February 2025.
Investigators say Dale first contacted Rylaarsdam through Eros.com, a website often associated with escort and stripping services, between March and April 2023.
In the past few weeks, Dale allegedly paid her more than $11,000 for interviews, idol-related communications and in-person meetings, according to court documents.
Authorities said the requests are becoming more and more extreme.
Among the things Dale is said to have asked to be wrapped in Saran Wrap “like a mother,” with women’s boots attached to his feet and asked to have Gorilla Glue poured into his eyes while a dildo was attached to his mouth.
Rylaarsdam later told investigators that the April 17, 2023 encounter was his first experience engaging in witchcraft.
According to the sworn arrest affidavit, he arrived at Dale’s home in Escondido around 6:00 p.m. and noticed that he appeared to be intoxicated. Despite that, investigators say, he continued with the BDSM sessions.
Hours later, the encounter turned deadly.
Police say Rylaarsdam called 911 around 10:10 p.m. after Dale started turning green.
Responding officers found him attempting CPR while speaking with a job seeker.
A roommate who witnessed the incident described Rylaarsdam as “very surprised” during the emergency.
Dale was taken to Palomar Hospital, where he was pronounced dead the next day. He was later taken off life support.
The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the death a homicide caused by sleep deprivation and lack of oxygen to the brain.
During the investigation, detectives reviewed videos found on Rylaarsdam’s cell phone that allegedly showed Dale holding a pipe, plastic and clothes on his head that were restricting his breathing.
According to investigators, Dale’s wrists were tied, his fingers were taped and his legs were tightly bound with plastic, and he was unable to free himself.
Another video allegedly showed a plastic bag over Dale’s head and duct tape around his face for at least eight minutes while Rylaarsdam continued filming nearby.
Another clip, recorded just minutes before the 911 call, reportedly showed her performing a sexual act next to Dale’s restrained body while creating content for her OnlyFans page.
Police said Rylaarsdam denied putting the bag over Dale’s head.
The shocking case has sparked outrage and renewed debate about the dangerous extremism associated with online idol content and subscription-based adult entertainment platforms.
