Former Australia's Next Top Model judge Didier Cohen has resurfaced online with a startling claim that his identity was stolen during a five-month incarceration in a maximum-security American prison. The 40-year-old faces serious felony charges, including the alleged kidnapping and assault of his father and stepmother in Malibu.
A Troubled Disappearance and a Shocking Return
Cohen, a one-time heartthrob and model, vanished from public view in June last year after wiping his Instagram feed clean, alarming his 104,000 followers. In reality, he had been arrested and imprisoned following a violent incident at his father's multi-million dollar Malibu home. He was released on bail in November to reside in a mental health diversion facility.
This week, Cohen reappeared on Instagram under a new account named 'Meyer Love Moquin'. In a post on Thursday, he asserted that someone had stolen his identity while he was "away," locking him out of all his social media and email accounts since June. He signed off with the initials of his new moniker, 'MLM'.
In a separate Instagram Story, he posted a video holding a seven-month sobriety token from Alcoholics Anonymous, captioned "7 MONTHS CLEAN" alongside the words, "You couldn't even go 30 days."
The Serious Charges and a Fight for Rehabilitation
Cohen is confronting nine felony charges stemming from the alleged attack on his 72-year-old father, David Cohen, and his father's 52-year-old partner, Avesta Saaty. The charges, detailed in an LA Superior Court complaint, include first-degree burglary, kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon (a glass bottle), making criminal threats, and vandalism.
Prosecutors allege the crimes "involved great violence, great bodily harm, threat of great bodily harm, and other acts disclosing a high degree of cruelty, viciousness and callousness." If convicted on all counts, Cohen could face up to eight years in state prison.
His legal team is fighting to keep him in a court-approved mental health diversion programme instead of serving a prison sentence. At a pre-trial hearing at Van Nuys Court this week, where Cohen appeared with his mother, a judge scheduled a crucial ruling on this motion for March 13.
Source Points to "Drug-Induced Psychosis" as Catalyst
A source close to Cohen, who spoke to the Daily Mail, shed light on the circumstances leading to the alleged assault. They claimed Cohen entered a "drug-induced psychosis" after taking LSD in June, a period of turmoil following the breakdown of his relationship and the loss of his Pacific Palisades home in the January wildfires.
"The reality of the situation is, his house burned down, and his relationship was falling apart at the same time," the source stated. They explained that Cohen, who had been sober from alcohol since 2016, took the psychedelic drug to celebrate a new job opportunity but suffered a severe reaction lasting around 14 days.
"Apparently, Meyer thought they sold his dog and he kicked in the front door when they were home to find the dog," the source said of his delusional state. "During the drug-induced psychosis, he falsely believed his father was also trying to kill him." The source emphasised Cohen has no history of violence and was horrified to later learn of the allegations while in custody.
David Cohen contacted the Daily Mail to state he disagreed with statements from this source.
What Happens Next?
Cohen's lawyer, Charles Unger, explained the stakes of the upcoming mental health diversion ruling. If granted, Cohen would avoid conviction by agreeing to strict conditions, including staying clean, for a set period—likely two years. Successful completion would lead to the dismissal of all charges.
"That's the beautiful thing about the diversion program - instead of just incarcerating people, throwing them in prison, it gives them the help and support they really need," Unger said. However, he warned that any failure to comply would see Cohen "sent to state prison for a very long time."
The source described the facility where Cohen has been living since November as "incredibly helpful," involving intensive daily therapy, spirituality, and communal work. Cohen has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The model, also known for judging 'Beauty and the Geek' and his campaigns for brands like Dolce & Gabbana, was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2018 after years of suffering from its symptoms.
