A high-end prostitute who pleaded guilty to killing a Google executive with an overdose of heroin aboard his yacht has been jailed for six years.
Alix Tichelman, 27, was initially arrested on suspicion of murder over the death of Forrest Hayes, 51, a father-of-five, who was found on his 50ft boat in Santa Cruz, California in November 2013.
Surveillance cameras on the yacht recorded Tichelman gathering her belongings, including heroin and needles, finishing a glass of wine, and stepping over Hayes as she left.
Following her arrest, she was dubbed the “call girl killer” and the “harbour hooker”.
But her lawyers argued that the death was an accident and struck a plea deal with prosecutors.
Her six year sentence means she could be free in three years.
The case shone a spotlight on so-called “sugar daddy” websites which allow older, rich men to pay young women for their company.
Hayes, who had also worked as an executive for Apple, met Tichelman through one such website.
He had hired Tichelman several times before, and they were doing drugs and having sex on the night he died.
According to prosecutors Tichelman injected Hayes with heroin and then left without seeking help when he passed out.
Defence lawyer Gerald Christensen said it was an accidental overdose between two consenting adults.
He said: “We’ve always said the case actually is an involuntary manslaughter case, that it was an accidental overdose and a subsequent panic and a failure to call 911. I think she has tremendous amount of relief that this ordeal is closing.”
Tichelman also pleaded guilty at Santa Cruz Superior Court to a series of other charges including administering a controlled substance and agreeing to engage in prostitution.
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