Didier Cohen arrest: Australia’s Next Top Model judge allegedly kidnapped his dad in a drug psychosis
Former Australian TV star and model Didier Cohen faces serious charges in the US after allegedly breaking into his father’s LA home and assaulting him and his partner.
Online court records show Mr Cohen spent several months in custody following his arrest on June 26, the day of the alleged offences at a Malibu mansion.
The 40-year-old has pleaded not guilty to nine charges including first degree burglary, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, kidnapping and threats to commit a crime with intent to terrorise.
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Mr Cohen is alleged to have attacked his dad David, 72, and his father’s partner Avesta Saaty, 52, with a glass bottle and threatened to kill them, the Daily Mail reports.
A source close to Mr Cohen claimed to the Daily Mail that he went into a “drug-induced psychosis” from LSD before the incident, which “got out of control”.
“He intended to meditate and walk on the beach, but fell into a drug-induced psychosis. It lasted for 14 days, and when he came out of it, he was in jail,” the source claimed.
Mr Cohen, who now goes by Meyer Love Moquin, was released on bail in November to live in a mental health diversion clinic, with online records stating a US$300,000 surety bond was lodged.
He was born in the US but made his name Down Under where he became a judge on hit TV show Australia’s Next Top Model.
The criminal allegations against him came months after it was revealed his Pacific Palisades home had burnt down in LA’s devastating 2025 wildfires.
“Our home burned down today,” his former girlfriend Isabela Aznar wrote in January 2025.
“All of our belongings that we’ve ever acquired in our lives are gone except for one suitcase each.
“We worked so hard – invested so much time, money, energy and love into creating our dream home and intentionally building a fresh start together only to watch it all burn down after one month.”
Didier Cohen is an American-born Australian DJ/producer who has appeared on various TV shows around the world.
He is due to face court again in March.
The Daily Mail reports documents filed at Van Nuys Courthouse in west LA set out the allegations against Mr Cohen, including that his actions “involved great violence, great bodily harm, threat of great bodily harm, and other acts disclosing a high degree of cruelty, viciousness and callousness”.
Prosecutors allege he was meant to be caring for his father and allegedly caused “unjustifiable physical pain and mental suffering” during the incident.
Mr Cohen is also accused of “instilling fear” and vandalising Ms Saaty’s car, the Daily Mail reports.
