{"id":2206371,"date":"2026-10-19T08:00:19","date_gmt":"2026-10-19T05:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2206371"},"modified":"2026-10-19T08:00:19","modified_gmt":"2026-10-19T05:00:19","slug":"ex-nfl-star-shawne-merriman-to-pay-4m-in-playboy-employee-wrongful-death-case","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2206371","title":{"rendered":"Ex-NFL Star Shawne Merriman to Pay $4M in Playboy Employee Wrongful Death Case"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/imagez.tmz.com\/image\/8c\/16by9\/2026\/10\/18\/8c05647309584994a4e105c90a998dfb_xl.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"article article--permalink \">\n<header class=\"article__header\">\n<h1 class=\"article__header--headline-title\">Ex-NFL Star Shawne Merriman to Pay $4M in Playboy Employee Wrongful Death Case<\/h1>\n<h2 class=\"article__header--headline-fragments\"><span class=\"article__header--hf1 text-uppercase h3\">Ex-NFL Star Shawne Merriman<\/span><span class=\"article__header--hf2 text-uppercase h1\">Ordered to Pay $4M in Playboy Employee Death Case<\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"social-media-container\" role=\"region\">\n<ul class=\"social social--sm\">\n<li>\n<div class=\"media-swipe\">Exclusive<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"social-item\">\n<li class=\"social-item\">\n<li class=\"social-item\"><\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=tmz.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"google-preferred-btn js-track-link\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"google-preferred-btn__icon\" src=\"https:\/\/static.tmz.com\/tmz-web\/img\/article\/google-icon.svg\" alt=\"Google\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"google-preferred-btn__title\">Add TMZ on Google<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"byline\">By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/pages\/about\/\">TMZ Staff<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"date-wrapper\">\n                                                                        Published <time class=\"published-datetime\" datetime=\"2026-10-19T01:00:19-07:00\"><br \/>\n                              October 19, 2026<br \/>\n                            1:00 AM PDT<\/time><span class=\"divider\">|<\/span><br \/>\n                                                                Updated <time class=\"updated-datetime\" datetime=\"2026-10-19T05:41:16-07:00\"><br \/>\n                                  October 19, 2026<br \/>\n                                5:41 AM PDT<\/time><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"article__blocks clearfix\">\n<section id=\"cb-6317d824a5640855386494869bf021f2\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-image-block canvas-image-block-permalink canvas-image-block--default  canvas-block-is-first \">\n<div class=\"image-block\"><a class=\"js-click-image js-track-link image-lightbox-preview\" data-node-ref=\"tmz:image-asset:image_jpg_20261018_8c05647309584994a4e105c90a998dfb\" data-container-ref=\"tmz:article:867fe253-f4e2-413e-84ab-686cd0df70e1\" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;permalink&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;image&quot;}\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"img-wrapper\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"eager\" src=\"https:\/\/imagez.tmz.com\/image\/8c\/4by3\/2026\/10\/18\/8c05647309584994a4e105c90a998dfb_md.jpg\" alt=\"shawn-merriman-Kimberly-Fattorini-getty-1\" width=\"728\" height=\"546\" class=\"img-fluid image-block__img-fluid img-aspect-auto\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"image-block__card-footer\"><span class=\"media-credit image-block__media-credit\">Getty<\/span><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-25947291e413ef1009fb9f7aa5929ec9\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;permalink&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;text_block&quot;}\">\n<p>Former NFL star <a href=\"https:\/\/cms.tmz.com\/ncr\/person\/df196ed5-5d64-5e9a-8162-ce29467e8841\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><strong>Shawne Merriman<\/strong><\/a> has been ordered to pay up in a wrongful death lawsuit involving a Playboy employee who died of an overdose &#8230; TMZ has learned.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-63d7a04091e8c27eb77cade46df5dbca\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;permalink&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;text_block&quot;}\">\n<p>According to court docs, obtained by TMZ, a Los Angeles judge entered a $4 million judgment against the former Chargers linebacker and three other defendants earlier this month over the 2017 death of <strong>Kimberly Fattorini<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-2acf8df4ad38c7e2319a3ed16639bdc1\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-image-block canvas-image-block-permalink canvas-image-block--default  \">\n<div class=\"image-block\"><a class=\"js-click-image js-track-link image-lightbox-preview\" data-node-ref=\"tmz:image-asset:image_jpg_20261018_7a4e00cf92094b8e8a2e4e073e27223f\" data-container-ref=\"tmz:article:867fe253-f4e2-413e-84ab-686cd0df70e1\" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;permalink&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;image&quot;}\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"img-wrapper\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/imagez.tmz.com\/image\/7a\/4by3\/2026\/10\/18\/7a4e00cf92094b8e8a2e4e073e27223f_md.jpg\" alt=\"Kimberly-Fattorini-getty-1\" width=\"728\" height=\"546\" class=\"img-fluid image-block__img-fluid img-aspect-auto\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"image-block__card-footer\"><span class=\"media-credit image-block__media-credit\">Getty<\/span><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-8cecc9621f47f487c38481a1a0b62308\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;permalink&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;text_block&quot;}\">\n<p>The ruling comes after a jury found Merriman and the other defendants liable last year &#8230; awarding Kimberly&#8217;s parents, <strong>DeAnn<\/strong> and <strong>Ferdinand Fattorini<\/strong>, millions in damages.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-7310cfbde339b24b93a46f745d70a857\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;permalink&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;text_block&quot;}\">\n<p>As TMZ previously reported &#8230; Kimberly&#8217;s parents sued Merriman in 2019, claiming he drugged and possibly sexually assaulted their daughter before she overdosed following a night of partying.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-0663091fbdc5709765dada079a4edb9c\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-image-block canvas-image-block-permalink canvas-image-block--default  \">\n<div class=\"image-block\"><a class=\"js-click-image js-track-link image-lightbox-preview\" data-node-ref=\"tmz:image-asset:image_jpg_20261018_eba754b1049d4ff280c4a9db0067102f\" data-container-ref=\"tmz:article:867fe253-f4e2-413e-84ab-686cd0df70e1\" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;permalink&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;image&quot;}\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"img-wrapper\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/imagez.tmz.com\/image\/eb\/4by3\/2026\/10\/18\/eba754b1049d4ff280c4a9db0067102f_md.jpg\" alt=\"Shawne-Merriman-getty-1\" width=\"728\" height=\"546\" class=\"img-fluid image-block__img-fluid img-aspect-auto\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"image-block__card-footer\"><span class=\"media-credit image-block__media-credit\">Getty<\/span><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-179fead638393667eddb4e4eb76baea6\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;permalink&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;text_block&quot;}\">\n<p>The lawsuit alleged Kimberly texted a club promoter that Merriman&#8217;s friend had poured GHB &#8212; commonly known as a date rape drug &#8212; into her drink. Her death was ruled accidental, with alcohol, cocaine and GHB found in her system.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-098478c440c4a9f1eecf835318c1b5d8\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;permalink&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;text_block&quot;}\">\n<p>Merriman previously denied any wrongdoing, with his rep telling TMZ the allegations were baseless and police had investigated without finding evidence of wrongdoing on his part.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-44a9ed1db97b07e4fd12411c6f73fdb6\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-image-block canvas-image-block-permalink canvas-image-block--default  \">\n<div class=\"image-block\"><a class=\"js-click-image js-track-link image-lightbox-preview\" data-node-ref=\"tmz:image-asset:image_jpg_20241213_dc88e4b744984929942d5900e5d3ca3c\" data-container-ref=\"tmz:article:867fe253-f4e2-413e-84ab-686cd0df70e1\" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;permalink&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;image&quot;}\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"img-wrapper\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/imagez.tmz.com\/image\/dc\/4by3\/2024\/12\/13\/dc88e4b744984929942d5900e5d3ca3c_md.jpg\" alt=\"hawne merriman san diego chargers 2010 sub\" width=\"728\" height=\"546\" class=\"img-fluid image-block__img-fluid img-aspect-auto\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"image-block__card-footer\"><span class=\"media-credit image-block__media-credit\">Getty<\/span><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-c3356d75a98209f9cf8b1768c831b8cd\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;permalink&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;text_block&quot;}\">\n<p>The newly filed judgment holds Merriman, <strong>J.P. Castro<\/strong> and <strong>Monica Maass<\/strong> responsible for the $4 million award, along with <strong>Elias Wehbe<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-27f982ef419b9d93ef1b713275a29123\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;permalink&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;text_block&quot;}\">\n<p>The judge also ruled in favor of the nightclub defendants, including The Highlight Room, Tao Group and The Warwick &#8230; meaning they won&#8217;t have to pay damages to Kimberly&#8217;s family.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-30d3e7b9631375a38bc40759cc66a2ff\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  canvas-block-is-last \" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;permalink&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;text_block&quot;}\">\n<p>The judgment was officially entered October 5, more than nine years after Kimberly&#8217;s death.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"col-12\">\n<ul class=\"social social--permalink\">\n<li class=\"social__item social__item--3items\"><a class=\"btn social__btn social__btn--facebook js-track-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/2026\/10\/19\/shawne-merriman-playboy-employee-death-lawsuit\/\" data-node-ref=\"tmz:article:867fe253-f4e2-413e-84ab-686cd0df70e1\" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;main&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;facebook-footer&quot;,&quot;pos&quot;:1}\"><br \/>\n                Share<span class=\"social__hide-sm\"> on Facebook<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"social__item social__item--3items\"><a class=\"btn social__btn social__btn--x js-track-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/2026\/10\/19\/shawne-merriman-playboy-employee-death-lawsuit\/\" data-node-ref=\"tmz:article:867fe253-f4e2-413e-84ab-686cd0df70e1\" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;main&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;twitter-footer&quot;,&quot;pos&quot;:2}\"><br \/>\n                Share<span class=\"social__hide-sm\"> on X<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"social__item social__item--3items\"><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"tag-cloud\">\n<ul class=\"tag-cloud__list-group\"><a class=\"tag-cloud__list-group-item js-track-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/people\/shawne-merriman\/\" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;main&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;tag-cloud&quot;,&quot;pos&quot;:1}\"><br \/>\n                Shawne Merriman<br \/>\n              <\/a><a class=\"tag-cloud__list-group-item js-track-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/categories\/sports\/\" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;main&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;tag-cloud&quot;,&quot;pos&quot;:2}\"><br \/>\n                Sports<br \/>\n              <\/a><a class=\"tag-cloud__list-group-item js-track-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/categories\/court\/\" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;main&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;tag-cloud&quot;,&quot;pos&quot;:3}\"><br \/>\n                Court<br \/>\n              <\/a><a class=\"tag-cloud__list-group-item js-track-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/categories\/tmzsports\/\" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;main&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;tag-cloud&quot;,&quot;pos&quot;:4}\"><br \/>\n                TMZ Sports<br \/>\n              <\/a><a class=\"tag-cloud__list-group-item js-track-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/categories\/la-chargers\/\" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;main&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;tag-cloud&quot;,&quot;pos&quot;:5}\"><br \/>\n                LA Chargers<br \/>\n              <\/a><a class=\"tag-cloud__list-group-item js-track-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/categories\/nfl\/\" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;main&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;tag-cloud&quot;,&quot;pos&quot;:6}\"><br \/>\n                NFL<br \/>\n              <\/a><\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<\/article>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/2026\/10\/19\/shawne-merriman-playboy-employee-death-lawsuit\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/imagez.tmz.com\/image\/8c\/16by9\/2026\/10\/18\/8c05647309584994a4e105c90a998dfb_xl.jpg&#8221;] Ex-NFL Star Shawne Merriman to Pay $4M in Playboy Employee Wrongful Death Case Ex-NFL Star Shawne MerrimanOrdered to Pay $4M in Playboy Employee Death Case Exclusive Add TMZ on Google By TMZ Staff Published October 19, 2026 1:00 AM PDT| Updated October 19, 2026 5:41 AM PDT Getty Former NFL star Shawne [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,77],"class_list":["post-2206371","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-tmz-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2206371","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2206371"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2206371\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2206371"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2206371"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2206371"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}