Woman charged with murder after fetish encounter in Escondido

A 31-year-old woman, Michaela Rylaarsdam, has been charged with second-degree murder after a man died during a fetish encounter in Escondido. Authorities allege the man suffocated after a plastic bag was placed over his head and secured with duct tape. The incident occurred in April 2023, when the man, Michael Dale, reportedly paid Rylaarsdam for various bondage acts. Investigators found videos showing him struggling to breathe while she recorded content for her OnlyFans page. Rylaarsdam is currently in jail without bail and has pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors argue that Rylaarsdam acted with conscious disregard for life, while her defense claims there was no intent to kill. The case raises questions about consent and the limits of safe practices in BDSM activities.