In a shocking incident from April 2023, rising concerns over the boundaries of contractual and consent-based activities are again in the spotlight. Michaela Rylaarsdam, an OnlyFans content creator, has been charged with the murder of her client, Michael Dale after a fetish session ended in tragedy.
According to People, Michael Dale died from asphyxiation after being intricately wrapped in saran wrap among other materials, a session he paid $11,000 to experience.
The sequence of events leading to Dale’s demise began when police were summoned to a distressful 911 call in San Diego. Upon their arrival, officers found Rylaarsdam administering CPR to an unresponsive Dale. He was swiftly transported to a local hospital, where he was later declared brain dead and ultimately taken off life support.
Investigations into the incident took a significant turn in February 2025, when Rylaarsdam was arrested and charged with murder. Details emerged that on the night of the fatal session, Dale had consented to and financially compensated Rylaarsdam for a series of extreme fetish activities.
Details of the Fatal Fetish Session Emerge
Dale’s requests for the evening were specific and unusual, involving being completely wrapped in saran wrap, akin to a mummy, as reported by an affidavit in KSWB. He also requested that women’s boots be glued to his feet and adhesive be poured over his eyes to seal them shut.
The fetish play escalated with Dale’s head being covered with a plastic bag, then wrapped further with saran wrap and secured with duct tape around his entire face and head. According to the affidavit reported by The Los Angeles Times, this included a tight wrap around his neck.
These details suggest a complex understanding and agreement to the terms of their interaction, although the results were disastrously unforeseen.
Complications arose with the method of head wrapping. The medical examiner concluded that Dale's death was due to asphyxiation caused by having a bag over his head, which had been secured and left on for at least eight minutes.
This finding led to the death being ruled a homicide, focusing scrutiny on the practices and consent in such extreme personal agreements.
Controversy Surrounds Evidence in Court Proceedings
Rylaarsdam’s version of events conflicts with the medical examiner’s findings. She provided her phone to the police, which, according to the affidavit, contained no evidence or request from Dale concerning the plastic bag that ultimately led to his suffocation.
Additionally, a disturbing piece of evidence emerged: a video on Rylaarsdam’s phone showed her using a vibrator for her OnlyFans content while Dale was incapacitated by the wrappings.
Currently, Rylaarsdam is being held without bail in San Diego, with court proceedings scheduled to continue in April 2025. Her defense seems to hinge on the specifics of consent and the voluntary nature of Dale's participation, complicated by the fatal outcome of their agreed-upon activities.
This case raises significant questions about the limits and legal responsibilities inherent in consensual but potentially dangerous activities. Legal experts suggest that the outcomes of this trial may set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future, particularly in contexts where the boundaries of consent and personal responsibility are pushed to extremes.
As this case progresses, it will likely attract substantial public and legal scrutiny, emphasizing the need for clear legal frameworks regarding consensual activities that involve significant risk. This incident not only highlights the potential dangers associated with certain fetishes but also the grave responsibilities of those who participate in and facilitate such acts.
