BYRAM TOWNSHIP, N.J.—A GoFundMe campaign was launched last week for retired adult performer Rachael Madori to help with legal, medical and mental rehabilitation costs in the aftermath of a January mental health episode that led to her being shot by police.
According to the GoFundMe campaign page, which was set up by Madori's younger sister, "On January 13, 2025, after a lapse in life-saving prescription medications—Madori suffered from a severe mental illness episode. This ultimately led to Rachael being fired at and shot twice by police. She sustained gunshot wounds to her face and left thigh but miraculously survived."
In a January 23 news story, local outlet NJ.com reported that "Byram police responded at 3:35 p.m. on Jan. 13 to ... a call of woman with a gun threatening to harm herself. ... The site is near Camp Allamuchy Road near the Mount Allamuchy Scout Reservation, which is home to the Boy Scouts of America and open all year to campers. When Byram Township police officers tried to speak with [Madori], she started shooting, authorities said."
The investigating detective wrote in the case affidavit, according to the NJ.com report, that Madori "fired multiple rounds indiscriminately, from a handgun. She entered and exited her vehicle multiple times while Byram officers attempted negotiations.”
An earlier (January 17) story by local radio station WRNJ reported that prior to the shootout, "Efforts to deescalate the situation were initiated, including the involvement of a crisis negotiator. However, the attempts were unsuccessful, and during the encounter, the occupant exited the vehicle. At that point, the occupant was struck once by police gunfire."
The NJ.com story similarly related: "As officers walked toward [Madori], she pointed the handgun at them, authorities said. One officer fired a shot from a rifle he withdrew from his patrol vehicle, striking [Madori] once in the neck, authorities said."
While no information appears to be available to account for the discrepancy between these news stories and the GoFundMe page as to the number of gunshot wounds Madori sustained from police, both news stories note that the Morris County Prosecutor's Office has been charged with investigating the police officers' use of force during the incident.
Madori was hospitalized in stable condition following the incident. She was released January 23 and transferred to Morris County Jail, according to NJ.com. She faces charges of second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm, third-degree aggravated assault/pointing a firearm at a law enforcement officer and fourth-degree possession of hollow-point bullets, the outlet reports.
According to the GoFundMe page, Madori is currently awaiting admission to a mental health treatment program.
A 2016 AVN Award nominee for Best New Starlet, Rachael Madori went on after retiring from adult to pursue a career as a sommelier and entrepreneur, among other ventures, and has long been an activist for mental health awareness. A 10-year volunteer with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the National Alliance for Mental Illness, she has donated her time and efforts to public speaking engagements, fundraising events, corporate training programs and more to aid those affected by mental illness.
To contribute to Madori's GoFundMe campaign, click here.
Photo of Rachael Madori from her GoFundMe campaign page
