Axl Rose Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged 1989 Sexual Assault

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Warning: This article discusses sensitive allegations of sexual assault.

In a recent legal development, Sheila Kennedy has taken legal action against the renowned Guns N’ Roses frontman, Axl Rose, accusing him of sexually assaulting her back in 1989. Kennedy, a former Penthouse model, claims in her lawsuit that Rose exploited his fame to exert control and engage in a violent sexual assault during a party, leading to symptoms resembling post-traumatic stress disorder. Legal representatives for Kennedy have officially filed the summons and complaint on this matter today, November 22, and have requested a jury trial under New York’s Adult Survivors Act.

According to Kennedy’s lawsuit, the two crossed paths at a nightclub, where Rose invited her and another model to join him in his New York hotel room for a party with one of his acquaintances. Initially, Kennedy consented to Rose’s advances, but the situation took a distressing turn when he displayed aggressive behavior during an encounter with the other model. Additionally, he seemed to push for group involvement, causing Kennedy to change her mind. Shortly thereafter, she sought refuge in Rose’s friend’s hotel room, but Rose followed her, blocking her exit and forcefully throwing her to the floor. As per the lawsuit, Rose then proceeded to “grab her by the hair and dragged her across the suite back to his bedroom,” resulting in bleeding knees.

The lawsuit further alleges that Kennedy, who was in a state of distress, was attempting to retrieve her belongings when Rose forcefully threw her onto the bed and used pantyhose to restrain her hands. The lawsuit describes the assault as a horrifying experience, comparing Rose’s actions to that of a primitive caveman. According to the suit, Rose sexually assaulted Kennedy anally without using protection. Fearing retribution if she attempted to escape, Kennedy endured the assault until it concluded, at which point she left the scene.

The alleged incident has left Kennedy grappling with anxiety and depression, making it difficult for her to engage in physical and emotional intimacy. She also avoids social situations where she might be exposed to Rose’s music. Consequently, she is seeking compensation for multiple charges, including assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and gender-motivated violence.

Newsound has reached out to representatives of Guns N’ Roses as well as Sheila Kennedy’s legal team for their comments on this matter.

In the event that you or someone you know has been affected by sexual assault, we strongly encourage you to seek support through the following resources:

• RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: rainn.org or call 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
• Crisis Text Line: You can text “HELLO” or “HOLA” to 741-741 for assistance.

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More about SexualAssaultAllegations

• Guns N’ Roses’ Axl Rose Sued Over Alleged 1989 Sexual Assault – News Article
• New York’s Adult Survivors Act – Official Information
• RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline – Support
• Crisis Text Line – Support