World · North America · 1 hr ago
Promoter appeals $4 million ruling in Kimberly Fattorini death case
Former Playboy model Kimberly Fattorini died after an overdose in 2017 following a night out in California.
Her family sued nightclub promoter Elias Wehbe, former NFL player Shawne Merriman and others in Los Angeles County, alleging wrongdoing connected to her death.
The defendants have denied wrongdoing, and Merriman has denied the allegations against him.
In 2025, a court found four defendants liable and ordered them to pay Fattorini’s family $4 million.
Wehbe says the judgment was improper and the trial evidence was insufficient, and he is appealing the ruling.
The appeal challenges the judgment against Wehbe; the sources do not say what the court will decide or when.
Nightclub promoter Elias Wehbe is appealing a ruling ordering him and three co-defendants to pay $4 million in a wrongful-death case involving Kimberly Fattorini.
Wehbe argues that the judgment was improper and that the trial evidence was insufficient to support it.
Fattorini’s family filed the lawsuit in 2019 after she died in 2017 following a night out with former NFL player Shawne Merriman.
A 2025 ruling found Merriman, Wehbe, JP Castro and Monica Maass liable for Fattorini’s death.
The defendants have denied wrongdoing, and Merriman has denied the family’s allegations.
- Who
- Nightclub promoter Elias Wehbe is appealing a ruling involving Fattorini’s family and three co-defendants, including Shawne Merriman.
- What
- Wehbe is challenging a ruling ordering the defendants to pay $4 million in a wrongful-death case.
- When
- The appeal was reported on October 23, 2026; the ruling finding the defendants liable was made in 2025.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- Wehbe says the judgment was improper and the evidence presented at trial was insufficient to support it.
Kimberly Fattorini’s family
Elias Wehbe
Liability
Kimberly Fattorini’s family
The family sued Wehbe, Merriman and others over Fattorini’s death; a 2025 ruling found the defendants liable.
Elias Wehbe
Wehbe is appealing the judgment, arguing it was improper and the evidence was insufficient.
Allegations
Kimberly Fattorini’s family
The family accused Merriman of drugging and sexually assaulting Fattorini before her overdose death.
Elias Wehbe
Wehbe and the other defendants have denied wrongdoing.
Kimberly Fattorini died after a night out with Shawne Merriman.
Fattorini’s family filed a lawsuit against Wehbe, Merriman and others.
A ruling found Merriman, Wehbe, JP Castro and Monica Maass liable for Fattorini’s death.
The Daily Mail reported that Wehbe was appealing the ruling.
- Appeal
- Elias Wehbe
- Award
- $4 million
- Deceased
- Kimberly Fattorini
- Defendants found liable
- Shawne Merriman, Elias Wehbe, JP Castro and Monica Maass
- Lawsuit filed
- 2019
- Death
- 2017
What people are saying
is not proper and that the evidence presented in the trial was insufficient to support the judgement entered
This alleged lawsuit is baseless. Shawne attended an after-party more than two years ago where a young woman unfortunately overdosed. The police thoroughly investigated and found no wrongdoing whatsoever by Shawne.