ESCONDIDO, Calif. — Michaela Rylaarsdam, a 32-year-old content creator, was sentenced to four years in prison on Monday, June 8, 2026, after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter in connection with the 2023 death of a client.

Case Background

The incident occurred on April 17, 2023, during a paid BDSM encounter at the home of the victim, 56-year-old Michael Dale, in Escondido, California. According to court records, Dale had paid Rylaarsdam over $11,000 for a fetish session that was recorded for her OnlyFans page.

During the proceedings, prosecutors detailed that the encounter escalated to extreme measures. Rylaarsdam had bound Dale’s limbs, wrapped his body in plastic, sealed his eyes with adhesive, and taped his mouth. A plastic bag was subsequently placed over his head. Medical examiners determined that Dale died of asphyxiation after the bag remained over his head for at least eight minutes.

Legal Proceedings and Sentencing

Rylaarsdam was initially charged with second-degree murder in early 2025 following an investigation by the Escondido Police Department. In May 2026, she reached a plea agreement with prosecutors, pleading guilty to the reduced charge of involuntary manslaughter.

San Diego Superior Court Judge Brad Weinreb acknowledged the lack of intent to kill but characterized Rylaarsdam’s actions as a reckless disregard for human life. At the sentencing hearing, Rylaarsdam expressed remorse to the victim's family and took responsibility for the actions that led to Dale's death.