Key Highlights
- Kimberly Fattorini’s parents are challenging efforts to reduce a $4 million wrongful-death judgment.
- Court filings reportedly include alleged text messages from the night Fattorini died in Los Angeles in 2017.
- A jury found Shawne Merriman, Elias Wehbe, and two other people liable in 2025; Merriman denied wrongdoing, and no criminal charges were filed against him.
Kimberly Fattorini Wrongful-Death Case Returns to Court
The death of Kimberly Fattorini, a model linked to Playboy who died in 2017 at age 30, is again at the center of a legal dispute in the United States. Nine years after her death, the case involves former NFL player Shawne Merriman, who was found liable alongside three other people in a wrongful-death lawsuit.
The latest dispute concerns a $4 million judgment awarded to Fattorini’s parents. The family is seeking to prevent the award from being reduced and has submitted documents that reportedly include alleged text messages exchanged during the night Fattorini died.
Alleged Text Messages From the Night Fattorini Died
According to court documents obtained by TMZ, Fattorini’s parents submitted conversations attributed to Elias Wehbe, a former nightclub promoter connected to the case. One of the messages reportedly included an invitation to Wehbe’s home to use cocaine, colloquially identified as “blow”.
The family also argues that Wehbe was aware of a message in which Fattorini warned that a friend had put GHB in her drink. According to the filing, Wehbe later allegedly saw Fattorini in an intoxicated state before she left in an Uber with Merriman.
How the $4 Million Judgment Developed
Fattorini died on July 21, 2017, after a night of partying in Los Angeles. An autopsy determined that her death was an accidental overdose and found alcohol, cocaine, and GHB in her system. GHB has a narrow safety margin, meaning that even a small variation in dosage can lead to a coma or respiratory arrest.
Fattorini’s parents filed a wrongful-death lawsuit in 2019, seeking accountability for the circumstances surrounding her death. In 2025, a jury found Merriman, Wehbe, and two other people liable. A judge subsequently formalized a joint $4 million judgment in favor of Fattorini’s parents.
Wehbe is now seeking to reduce the amount, while Fattorini’s family has presented additional arguments in support of preserving the compensation. The filings have brought renewed attention to the alleged messages and the events of the night Fattorini died.
Shawne Merriman Denied Wrongdoing
During the legal proceedings, Fattorini’s parents maintained that their daughter may have been drugged and may also have been sexually assaulted. Those claims are allegations made by the family and are separate from a criminal conviction. Fattorini’s death was officially classified as accidental, and no criminal charges were filed against Merriman.
Merriman, a former San Diego Chargers player, denied engaging in any wrongdoing. His representative also rejected the allegations and said the police investigation found no irregularities attributable to Merriman.
Merriman retired from professional football after ending his NFL career in 2013. He played eight seasons, including as a defensive star for the San Diego Chargers, and had a brief final stint with the Buffalo Bills. Away from the field, the 42-year-old former linebacker remains involved in sports as a television analyst and entrepreneur. He leads the mixed martial arts promotion Lights Out Xtreme Fighting and manages a personal clothing brand and projects on streaming platforms.
Why This Matters
The dispute illustrates how a civil wrongful-death judgment can continue through appeals and post-trial challenges years after a death, even when no criminal charges have been filed. The court’s handling of the alleged messages, the liability findings, and Wehbe’s request to reduce the judgment will determine whether Fattorini’s parents retain the full $4 million award.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Kimberly Fattorini?
Kimberly Fattorini was a model linked to Playboy who died in Los Angeles on July 21, 2017, at age 30. Her death was officially classified as an accidental overdose.
What is the $4 million judgment about?
Fattorini’s parents filed a wrongful-death lawsuit in 2019. In 2025, a jury found Shawne Merriman, Elias Wehbe, and two other people liable, and a judge formalized a joint judgment of $4 million in favor of her parents.
Were criminal charges filed against Shawne Merriman?
No. The source states that no criminal charges were filed against Merriman. He denied wrongdoing, and his representative said the police investigation found no irregularities attributable to him.
