In the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal, a number of sexual assault survivors have come forward to tell their stories in the hopes of preventing others from suffering from similar fates in years to come. While the majority of stories have centred in on Hollywood, new allegations have now surfaced regarding Brainfeeder artist the Gaslamp Killer.
Prominent Twitter user @chelseaelaynne — from here on referred to as Chelsea (who requested Exclaim! do not publish her full name) — has shared a lengthy post detailing some horrific allegations against the producer, whose real name is William Benjamin Bensussen.
Her story, which is embedded below (and features graphically detailed content), claims that she was at the Standard Hotel in Los Angeles on July 5, 2013, with a friend. Chelsea says she and her friend RaeAn were drugged by Bensussen, who proceeded to have non-consensual sex with them while they were incapacitated.
In a separate post, Chelsea adds that she wanted to tag the Gaslamp Killer but noticed he had blocked her on Twitter — something she says she sees as an admission of guilt.
Read Chelsea's posts below.
Exclaim! has reached out to representatives for the Gaslamp Killer for comment.
UPDATE (10/13, 11:30 a.m. EDT): As Brooklyn Vegan points out, New Zealand festival Northern Lights is not taking these accusations lightly and is considering removing the Gaslamp Killer from its lineup. Organizers released the following statement:
We have been made aware of allegations made on Twitter today regarding The Gaslamp Killer, an artist currently scheduled to perform at Northern Bass this year. We have contacted the artist's agent to discuss the allegations.
It is extremely important that everyone feels safe in the Northern Bass environment and at all Fuzen events. As a company we support anyone that finds the courage to speak up about harassment and assault in any form.
UPDATE (10/13, 1 p.m. EDT): The Gaslamp Killer has now released a statement denying the rape allegations. You can read it in full below. Also, his show tonight as part of the Brooklyn Electronic Music Festival has been cancelled by organizers as a result of the rape allegations.
Prominent Twitter user @chelseaelaynne — from here on referred to as Chelsea (who requested Exclaim! do not publish her full name) — has shared a lengthy post detailing some horrific allegations against the producer, whose real name is William Benjamin Bensussen.
Her story, which is embedded below (and features graphically detailed content), claims that she was at the Standard Hotel in Los Angeles on July 5, 2013, with a friend. Chelsea says she and her friend RaeAn were drugged by Bensussen, who proceeded to have non-consensual sex with them while they were incapacitated.
In a separate post, Chelsea adds that she wanted to tag the Gaslamp Killer but noticed he had blocked her on Twitter — something she says she sees as an admission of guilt.
Read Chelsea's posts below.
i've been silently suffering over this for many years. the gaslamp killer drugged and raped my best friend and myself 4 years ago pic.twitter.com/yvJM5HEJay
— chelsea (@chelseaelaynne) October 13, 2017
i would tag him, but today i noticed he has had me blocked, which pushed me over the edge and was the clearest admission of his guilt pic.twitter.com/blNRLbXjRw
— chelsea (@chelseaelaynne) October 13, 2017
facing and accepting this has been one of the hardest things i have ever done - for every woman that has been abused - you are not alone
— chelsea (@chelseaelaynne) October 13, 2017
me and rae are fuckin done being victims of this - this is HIS burden to bear
— chelsea (@chelseaelaynne) October 13, 2017
YOURE NOT ALONE. IT WASNT YOUR FAULT. I'M HERE FOR YOU.
— chelsea (@chelseaelaynne) October 13, 2017
holy shit hes already trying to cover it up pic.twitter.com/B8H4UoFjyb
— chelsea (@chelseaelaynne) October 13, 2017
Exclaim! has reached out to representatives for the Gaslamp Killer for comment.
UPDATE (10/13, 11:30 a.m. EDT): As Brooklyn Vegan points out, New Zealand festival Northern Lights is not taking these accusations lightly and is considering removing the Gaslamp Killer from its lineup. Organizers released the following statement:
We have been made aware of allegations made on Twitter today regarding The Gaslamp Killer, an artist currently scheduled to perform at Northern Bass this year. We have contacted the artist's agent to discuss the allegations.
It is extremely important that everyone feels safe in the Northern Bass environment and at all Fuzen events. As a company we support anyone that finds the courage to speak up about harassment and assault in any form.
UPDATE (10/13, 1 p.m. EDT): The Gaslamp Killer has now released a statement denying the rape allegations. You can read it in full below. Also, his show tonight as part of the Brooklyn Electronic Music Festival has been cancelled by organizers as a result of the rape allegations.
My response to @chelseaelaynne 's letter below. pic.twitter.com/6Zgfq0cOn7
— G L K (@GASLAMPKILLER) October 13, 2017