DEADLY Influence: The Social Media Murders is a series that covers shocking real-life crimes involving influencers.
The first true story of the crime series unpacks the tragic death of Herleen Dulai and the arrest of Ash Armand – here’s what we know.
Ash Armand, whose real name is Akshaya Kubiak, was best known for his small role in the reality series ‘Gigolos’.
Kubiak joined the cast in 2012 and remained on set until the show came to an end in 2016.
Just a few years later, he was charged with the murder of Herleen Dulai.
Harleen Dulai was a 29-year-old graduate from California.
In 2017, Dulai, who had earned a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from Temple University, moved to Las Vegas with the dreams of pursuing a post-graduate degree.
Once in Las Vegas, the 29-year-old discovered a passion for fitness and soon joined the A.C.E Fitness Gym, where she eventually became a personal trainer.
Soon after, Dulai took to social media, sharing inspirational videos and documenting her fitness journey with fellow online users.
In one video shared in 2019, she said: ”Whether it’s in a workout or in life, you’ve just got to keep pushing.”
Dulai also filmed herself opening up about the personal fears she was facing at the time.
She explained: ”I’m trying to break out of my own shell. I have a fear of public speaking. But here I am in public, speaking.”
Despite finding a passion for fitness, just a few months later she left her role at the gym.
Around this time, Dulai began contact with Akshaya Kubia.
In July 2020, just shortly after they had met, police responded to a call at Akshaya Kubiak’s home.
According to reports, Kubiak had made a distressing 911 call claiming that Herleen was unresponsive after the pair had taken drugs together.
Following the arrival of the authorities, Dulai was tragically pronounced dead at the scene.
Despite the claims made by Kubiak, Dulai died of blunt force trauma and strangulation, and her death was ruled a homicide, according to the Clark County coroner’s office.
Kubiak was arrested in July 2020 and later charged and sentenced for the murder of Herleen Dulai.
As per reports from the Las Vegas Review-Journal, he pleaded guilty to felony counts of voluntary manslaughter and mayhem and was sentenced to eight to 20 years in prison in 2021.
During the sentencing, prosecutor Giancarlo Pesci detailed the injuries Dulai had suffered.
This included injuries to her face, eye, and forearms.
Speaking to the judge, Pesci added: ”This is an individual who knows the beatings happened, even if she’s high on drugs.”
As of 2024, Kubiak is believed to be incarcerated at the Southern Desert Correctional Center in Las Vegas.
All episodes of Deadly Infuelnce: The Social Media Murders are available to watch on Discovery +.
Alternatively, true crime fans can tune into the series on Amazon Prime.
