Minnesota man charged in "rough sex" death

A 54-year-old man in St. Paul, Minn., has been charged with manslaughter in the death of a West Hollywood, Calif., man who was drugged with chloroform during what police called consensual "sadomasochistic sexual activities," reports the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Steven H. Bailey was charged Tuesday in Ramsey County, Minn., district court. He was arrested last week as he attempted to put the body of Maceo F. Brodnax, 53, of West Hollywood, Calif., in his car. According to the criminal complaint, Brodnax died while wearing a gas mask that Bailey had covered with a plastic bag containing chloroform. Police believe the men were engaging in "erotic asphyxia," a sex act involving depriving someone of oxygen for sexual arousal. Bailey told police that he went to answer a ringing phone while Brodnax was in the mask and that he lost track of time. When he returned, he said, Brodnax was dead. Brodnax died November 2, the same day he had arrived from Los Angeles to visit Bailey, whom he had met on the Internet several months ago.The men apparently shared an interest in rough sex and arranged a meeting in which Brodnax was to spend several days with Bailey at his apartment, which was outfitted with handcuffs and other bondage paraphernalia. Neighbors said Bailey often had male visitors coming and going from his apartment. Police said Bailey used the name "The True Master" on the Internet to proclaim his willingness to engage in sex acts involving bondage, domination, and restriction of airways. No money exchanged hands, police said. Bailey told police he has had as many as 5,000 sex partners in his lifetime. Some of them came from as far away as France and Australia. Police said Bailey kept Brodnax's body in his apartment for several days before trying to dispose of it last week. Police caught him with the body about 3 a.m. on Wednesday, November 6, when a neighbor reported hearing strange noises outside the apartment building. Rope was found around Brodnax's neck and ankles; police believe it was used to drag his body from the apartment and was not related to his death.