JUPITER, Fla.—AVN has learned that Stuart Lawley, the former CEO of ICM Registry and a web domain pioneer in the adult space, passed away last Tuesday, November 26, in his hometown Jupiter, Fla. He was 61.
Close friend and AVN Hall of Famer Greg Dumas, a fellow adult internet business veteran, confirmed via text message that Lawley died of a massive heart attack linked to unidentified health issues.
Originally from the United Kingdom, Lawley moved to the United States and naturalized. He is survived by his mother and one sister. He had one son, Sabian Lawley, Dumas explained, who was killed in a hit-and-run accident that remains unsolved.
"Stuart remained active in business but was mainly semi-retired after the death of his only son," Dumas told AVN. "Stuart was also involved in community service, volunteering at a local shelter collecting abandoned and stray dogs. Stuart also had a passion for exotic cars. He collected new cars and classic cars."
Lawley led ICM Registry when the company released the sponsored top-level domain .xxx and similar domains. Dumas said this was considered controversial at the time and received much backlash from several stakeholders in the industry.
"In the end, the naysayers were wrong, and ICM Registry sold hundreds of thousands [of] domains, mostly [to] the adult industry," Dumas said.
MMX bought out ICM Registry in 2018.
"Stuart had a lust for life and was one of the smartest businessmen I had ever met," Dumas continued. "He weathered numerous challenges with various companies with all of them bringing him great success in 2022."
Lawley will be honored in a small private memorial that has yet to be scheduled. Dumas added, "We ask for your understanding at this difficult time."
