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Parents reveal disturbing texts from night of model’s death in messy $4 million fight with Shawne Merriman
Kimberly Fattorini’s parents have submitted alleged text messages from the night she died as they oppose efforts to reduce a $4 million wrongful death award. The case concerns Fattorini’s 2017 overdose while she was with former NFL player Shawne Merriman and others; Merriman has denied wrongdoing.
A jury found Merriman and three other defendants liable in 2025, and a Los Angeles judge ordered them to pay the award in October. One defendant, Elias Wehbe, is seeking a reduction, arguing the trial evidence did not support the sum. Fattorini’s death was ruled accidental; officials said cocaine, alcohol and GHB were found in her system.
In short
- Her parents are defending a $4 million wrongful death award.
- They submitted alleged texts from the night she died.
- Merriman denies wrongdoing; her death was ruled accidental.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Fattorini’s parents can argue that the jury’s award reflects the seriousness of the loss and the defendants’ responsibility as the jury found it, and should not be reduced without a compelling legal basis. The messages may also help explain the events that night and why the family believes the award is justified.
The case against
Wehbe can argue that a damages award should be grounded in the evidence and applicable law, not the emotional force of the loss or messages whose meaning may be disputed. If the trial evidence did not support $4 million, reducing the award would uphold proportionality and fair process without denying the family’s grief.