Fresh blow for Didier Cohen as the model claims his identity was stolen after allegedly kidnapping his father and stepmother

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Didier Cohen is facing new difficulties in his fight to avoid prison in the United States. He’s accused of kidnapping and assaulting his parents.

The former judge on Australia’s Next Top Model, who is 40 years old, became inactive last June after deleting all his posts from Instagram, which worried his 104,000 followers.

Cohen actually spent five months in a high-security prison. He was accused of breaking into his father’s Malibu house and physically attacking both his father and his father’s girlfriend while under the influence of drugs.

Cohen has reappeared online using the name ‘Meyer Love Moquin,’ and says his identity was stolen while he was in prison.

Okay, so this has been a really frustrating few months for me. As many of you know, I’ve been off social media, and I wanted to explain why. Unfortunately, I was hacked! Someone stole my identity, and I’ve been completely locked out of all my accounts – everything from Instagram to my email – since June. It’s been a real hassle getting things sorted, but I’m finally back with this new page and excited to reconnect with everyone.

If you received any messages from me before I got my phone and iCloud back on Sunday, please ignore them. This is my only Instagram account right now. – MLM

Cohen shared a video on his Instagram Stories showing his hand holding a seven-month sobriety token from Alcoholics Anonymous, and wrote, ‘7 MONTHS CLEAN’.

I remember hearing someone challenge me, saying I wouldn’t even last a month without a drink. It really stuck with me – that doubt, that prediction of failure. It became a little fuel for my commitment, honestly.

According to a source, Cohen reportedly attacked his father, 72-year-old David Cohen, and his partner, 52-year-old Avesta Saaty, with a bottle and made death threats. The source believes this was triggered by a drug-induced psychosis.

The 40-year-old former judge from Australia’s Next Top Model was arrested on June 26 of last year. He spent five months in jail before being released on bail in November to live in a mental health facility. His lawyer is now working to keep him in this facility instead of sending him to prison.

Michael Cohen appeared in a Los Angeles court on Wednesday for a hearing before his trial, where he is facing nine felony charges. A Daily Mail reporter was present.

Originally from Los Angeles, Cohen became a successful model and DJ in Australia after a talent scout spotted him on Sunset Boulevard. He has denied all accusations and could face up to eight years in prison if convicted.

Judge Alan Schneider has set a new court date for March 13th to decide if the celebrity will be allowed to continue receiving treatment at the rehab facility that helped him avoid jail time during the holidays.

This week, Daily Mail spoke to someone familiar with Michael Cohen, now reportedly using the name ‘Meyer Love Moquin’. This source claims Cohen’s behavior changed after he allegedly took a hallucinogenic drug, prior to the incident at his father’s home.

According to the source, Cohen experienced a severe mental state, likely brought on by drugs, starting around June 18th and lasting until about July 2nd, following his arrest.

This incident was a physical altercation between a father and son, reportedly caused by drug use, that occurred inside their home. The resulting legal charges have escalated significantly, according to sources.

I couldn’t help but notice him in court this week – Cohen, covered in tattoos, but surprisingly dressed in a white shirt, black pants, and a tie. He was there with his mother, and it was a striking contrast to his usual look, honestly.

Court documents obtained by the Daily Mail reveal the crimes Michael Cohen is accused of allegedly involved extreme violence, serious physical injury, and a cruel disregard for the well-being of others.

In the first charge against him, Cohen is accused of breaking into the $4 million Malibu home shared by his father and Saaty, allegedly with the plan to steal something or commit another crime.

The second charge against Cohen claims he abused his elderly father, who was in his care. Prosecutors allege Cohen intentionally caused his father unnecessary physical and emotional pain, and put his health at risk through his actions.

Counts three and five allege that Cohen kidnapped his father and that Saaty used force and intimidation to do so.

Count four alleges Cohen assaulted his father ‘with a deadly weapon, to wit, a glass bottle’.

In the sixth count, he’s accused of assaulting Saaty with force that could cause serious injury.

Counts seven and eight claim that Cohen threatened his father and Saaty, causing them to fear for their lives. These threats involved promising to commit a violent crime that could cause serious harm or death.

Cohen is also accused of intentionally damaging Saaty’s car, which is the last of nine charges against him.

He could face between two and eight years in prison, depending on the charges. The most serious charge, kidnapping, carries a maximum sentence of eight years and a $10,000 fine.

According to a source, the incident at his father’s house was just the latest in a string of unfortunate events for Cohen in 2025. Earlier in the year, his home in Pacific Palisades was destroyed by the LA wildfires, and shortly after, his relationship with Isabela Aznar ended.

According to a source, he experienced a terrible time when his house burned down while his relationship was also ending.

Despite a difficult period in his life, Cohen received a vial of LSD as a birthday gift from a friend in May when he turned 40. He didn’t use it immediately, but later took it to celebrate getting a new job.

He quit drinking in 2016 and gave up psychedelics two years ago. He was focused on being a good father to his daughter, according to a source.

Cohen shares four-year-old daughter Marigold with his ex-fiancée Chanel Wolf.

Meyer received a new job offer and the interview was successful, according to a source. He then celebrated his good fortune that weekend by taking LSD.

He planned a relaxing trip with meditation and beach walks, but instead experienced a severe mental breakdown caused by drugs. This lasted for two weeks, and he ended up in jail afterward.

According to the source, Cohen found out about the actions he was accused of only after authorities and family members told him while he was in court.

According to a source, Meyer was experiencing a delusion brought on by drugs and believed David and Saaty had taken his dog. He reportedly broke down their front door while they were home, searching for the animal.

While experiencing a drug-induced psychosis, he became convinced his father was attempting to harm him. He also mistakenly believed David had tried to kill his dog.

He and his father were involved in a physical fight. He doesn’t have any further information at this time, and any charges filed are currently just accusations.

According to a source, Meyer has no history of violent behavior and has good relationships with both his father and his father’s girlfriend, even working with them.

It’s awful for him to be going through all of this, especially since he isn’t struggling with addiction on a daily basis. He’s currently in rehab to cope with everything.

Regarding Cohen’s drug use, the source stated he wasn’t addicted, and his mental breakdown was likely caused by occasional, casual drug use.

I’ve seen this pattern before, unfortunately. Someone experiences a really difficult time – maybe one or two major traumas – and then struggles with things like depression. They might then turn to psychedelics hoping to find healing or a spiritual connection, thinking it could help process the trauma. Sadly, in this case, instead of therapy, it actually triggered a psychotic break. It’s a really important reminder that these substances aren’t a quick fix and can be dangerous, especially when someone is already vulnerable.

He wasn’t simply using drugs all day. He’s mentally clear and able to talk about what’s happening and understand his circumstances.

After the article came out, David Cohen reached out to the Daily Mail to dispute information provided by one of our sources. We’ve requested more details.

Cohen was arrested on June 26th and spent five months in jail. He was released in November after posting a $300,000 bond.

When he was arrested, prosecutors said he was already under supervision due to previous convictions – he was on probation, required supervision after release, and parole.

During Wednesday’s court appearance, Judge Schneider agreed to continue allowing the defendant to remain out on bail. A decision will be made on March 13th regarding a request from his lawyer to keep him in a mental health program, which could prevent any further prison time if he stays out of trouble.

According to lawyer Charles Unger, if the judge approves, Cohen could remain in his current lifestyle through a mental health diversion program, as explained to the Daily Mail.

Instead of going to jail, Didier would need to promise to avoid drugs and follow all the judge’s rules for about two years, Unger explained.

If he follows all the rules and finishes the diversion program, the charges will be dropped.

The great thing about this program is that it focuses on helping people get back on track instead of simply sending them to jail. It provides the support and resources they actually need to succeed.

However, he cautioned that if Cohen failed to meet all the requirements of his probation, he could face court proceedings and a lengthy prison sentence.

According to a source at The Daily Mail, the facility where Cohen had been living since November was ‘incredibly helpful’ in his recovery after spending several months in a high-security prison.

He described it as amazing, almost like a retreat for spiritual and mental wellness within the Jewish community. It focuses heavily on building community and supporting mental health.

Exploring spirituality, focusing on personal growth, and practices like yoga can be incredibly beneficial, but it often feels like a challenging and intense journey of self-improvement.

‘Every single day, Meyer’s in nine to 10 hours of intense therapy, and he has three therapists.’

Cohen has been getting help from his mother and ex-partner Chanel, who both put in a lot of effort to secure him quality legal representation.

Cohen was last in the news in January of last year when a fire in Los Angeles destroyed the home he shared with his then-girlfriend, Isabela Aznar, in Pacific Palisades.

He shared confronting photos online of the burning rubble of his property.

Today was unbelievably difficult – our house burned down. It’s hard to even process, but thankfully, everyone is safe. We lost almost everything we owned, all our memories and possessions built up over a lifetime, but we each managed to grab one suitcase. It’s a fresh start, though a devastating one, and we’re focusing on that.

‘We worked so hard – invested so much time, money, energy, and love into creating our dream home.

It’s incredibly painful to build something new with someone, only to have it fall apart so quickly. Today feels like a huge loss.

Aznar and Cohen ended their relationship, and Aznar later shared on Instagram that it ended because of the wildfires.

Cohen became well-known in Australia as a judge on the 2013 season of Australia’s Next Top Model, where he worked with Charlotte Dawson, Alex Perry, and Jennifer Hawkins, who hosted the show.

He also served as a judge on the reality show Beauty and the Geek on Channel Seven, and was a contestant on The Celebrity Apprentice Australia.

Cohen has worked as a model for major brands like Dolce & Gabbana, Nike, and Adidas, and has also been the face of the menswear company Industrie.

In 2018, Cohen received a Lyme disease diagnosis. He had been experiencing symptoms like seizures, numbness, paralysis, fever, and bone pain for over a decade, since 2007.

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2026-01-16 03:38