Metal Anarchy

Former Penthouse model Sheila Kennedy has accused Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose of sexual assault in a new civil suit. The allegation is connected to a disturbing incident that was said to have happened in 1989.

Rolling Stone obtained a copy of the suit, which you can check out HERE. The complaint said the following:

“Kennedy met Rose in or around February 1989, at a nightclub in New York, New York. Kennedy had been invited to the nightclub by a friend who was a fan of Guns N’Roses and who told Kennedy that Rose would be there.. Kennedy was not previously aware of Rose’s identity and popularity. After entering the nightclub, Kennedy observed Rose in the back room,surrounded by several other people. When Kennedy approached Rose’s table, she immediately felt his eyes and attention turn to her.

On information and belief, Rose was in New York City to help his friend, David Andrew “Riki” Rachtman, secure the role of host for MTV’s Headbangers Ball. Rose asked Kennedy if she would like to go back to his hotel for a party with him and Rachtman, who was with Rose at the nightclub. Rose told Kennedy that only she was invited back to his hotel, and not her friend, who Rose said was “not hot enough” for his taste. Kennedy apologized to her friend and joined Rose, Rachtman, and another model, invited by Rachtman, to go from the nightclub to Rose’s luxury suite at a hotel on Central Park West.

At Rose’s hotel suite, other acquaintances of Rose and Rachtman arrived for the party. Rose provided cocaine, champagne, and alcohol to his guests in the suite. At one point, Kennedy went to the bathroom in Rose’s bedroom within the suite to freshen up. There, she observed multiple bottles prescribed to Rose on the sink, including lithium. Kennedy feared that if Rose was mixing drugs and alcohol with these prescription medications, Rose could become dangerous. As Kennedy exited Rose’s bathroom, Rose was waiting outside the door. He pushed Kennedy against the wall and kissed her. Kennedy found Rose attractive and did not mind this encounter. She was open to sleeping with him if things progressed and if they continued to find each other attractive. The party was in full swing and there were many people in the suite.

Eventually,Rose told Rachtman to clear the suite of everyone except Kennedy and the other model, and Rachtman did so Kennedy soon found herself in Rose’s bedroom in bed with Rose, Rachtman,and the other model. Rose began kissing and having sex with the other model. Kennedy quickly became uncomfortable. Rose was aggressive in a way that appeared painful for the model. The encounter quickly became not just uncomfortable but disturbing.

It appeared to Kennedy that Rose was encouraging group sex. She had been open to sex with Rose but had not agreed to, and was not interested in, having group sex. Soon, Rachtman and Kennedy left Rose’s bedroom, went down a hallway within the suite, and went into Rachtman’s bedroom in the back. They began to talk.

Suddenly, Kennedy heard objects being thrown and the sound of glass shattering. She also heard Rose screaming at the model, saying: “You’re a fucking whore. Get the fuck out of here!” In response to the commotion, Rachtman warned Kennedy: “It’s going to get bad.” Then, Kennedy heard Rose storming down the hallway toward her and Rachtman in Rachtman’s bedroom. Upon seeing Kennedy in the bedroom, “What thevFUCK are you doing back here?” Rose’s demeanor and words terrified Kennedy. He was furious, and she did not know what he might do in this state.

Rose loomed threateningly over Kennedy, blocking her exit from Rachtman’s bedroom. Then, Rose grabbed Kennedy by her robe and knocked her to the floor in the hallway outside Rachtman’s bedroom door. While Kennedy was still on the ground, Rose grabbed her by the hair and dragged her across the suite back to his bedroom. This was very painful for Kennedy and caused her knees to bleed from scraping on the rug.

Back at Rose’s bedroom, Rose threw Kennedy to the floor. For a brief moment, Kennedy crawled frantically around the floor, crying, bleeding, and trying to gather her belongings. Suddenly, Rose picked Kennedy up and threw her on the bed, face down and on her stomach. He grabbed pantyhose that were nearby and tied Kennedy’s hands behind her back. Kennedy lay there on the bed with her hands tied behind her back, bleeding,vulnerable, and alone with Rose while he was in a sexual, volatile rage. Kennedy had just witnessed Rose violently have sex with another woman. He dragged Kennedy to his bedroom like a caveman and acted with uncontrolled fury. Rose had physically stopped her from leaving. Kennedy was trapped.

Rose then sexually assaulted Kennedy. Rose forcibly penetrating Kennedy’s anus with his penis. Rose made no attempt to ask for or check that Kennedy was consenting. He treated her like property used solely for his sexual pleasure. He did not use a condom.

Kennedy did not consent and felt overpowered. She felt she had no escape or exit and was compelled to acquiesce. She believed Rose would physically attack her, or worse,if she said no or attempted to push him away. She understood that the safest thing to do was to lie in bed and wait for Rose to finish assaulting her.

Rose’s sexual abuse of Kennedy had lifelong emotional, physical, psychological, and financial impacts on Kennedy’s life. Kennedy has experienced symptoms akin to post-traumatic stress disorder whenever she hears Rose’s name or the music of Guns N’ Roses. Other sexual encounters have drawn her right back to the night that Rose had assaulted her. When confronted with these memories, Kennedy has experienced intense physical and emotional distress. Kennedy has been diagnosed with anxiety and depression because of Rose’s assault.

Kennedy’s career has also suffered because of the assault. Kennedy avoids nightclubs and social scenarios where she could encounter Rose or hear his music playing. As an actress and model, however, attending events and maintaining a large network of social contacts, including contacts connected with Rose, is important for her career. Kennedy’s assault and the trauma it caused has hurt her earnings and earning capacity. Finally, Rose’s sexual assault has caused Kennedy issues with physical and emotional intimacy. Kennedy’s ability to trust men, form healthy relationships, and participate in trusting and safe sexual encounters was irreversibly impacted.”

Kennedy is currently seeking unspecified damages for assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and gender-motivated violence. She previously addressed the allegations in her 2016 autobiography “No One’s Pet.”

Notably, Rose has faced similar allegations in the past, including claims made by his former partners Erin Everly and Stephanie Seymour. Everly’s complaint was resolved in a settlement that was made out of court.