Updated: Anti-porn Crusader Shelley Lubben Passes Away

Updated: Anti-porn Crusader Shelley Lubben Passes Away

Update: On Monday, Feb. 11, XBIZ spoke with the Tulare County coroner's office and confirmed Lubben's death on Saturday, Feb. 9. She was a resident of Springville, Calif., in Tulare County, when she passed. At the time of this update, the coroner told XBIZ that tests to determine an official cause of death had not been completed.

SPRINGVILLE, Calif. — Shelley Lubben, the adult performer-turned-anti-porn crusader, has passed away, according to writer and filmmaker Michael Whitacre. She was 50.

Whiteacre, who has been involved in an ongoing documentary about Lubben called “The Devil and Shelley Lubben,” learned about her death today from her brother. Whiteacre later took to Twitter to announce her death.

The brother, according to Whiteacre, was told by the Tulare County Sheriffs Office about her passing after she was was discovered unresponsive this morning by a male friend in the Central California town of Springville.

Whiteacre said sheriffs’ deputies indicated no sign of foul play or indication of suicide; however, they had suspected a possible drug overdose.

“[She] apparently died quietly in her sleep,” Whiteacre told XBIZ. “It is not clear whether she was in her trailer or in the residence belonging to the man who found her.”

Whiteacre went on to say that Lubben’s life in recent years “had been completely out of control, it’s fair to say.”

“She had three different restraining orders in effect against her at the time of her death, in two counties,” he said. “She was being sued by creditors and had been named in a wrongful death suit. That suit arose out of her boyfriend, Joseph Valley, killing a cyclist in a hit-and-run DUI, while driving a car she had purchased and insured."

During her porn career, which lasted for two years, from 1993-1994, Lubben appeared in 18 adult releases using the stage name Roxy. She shot for Legend Video, Filmco Releasing, Leisure Time Entertainment and JM Productions, among others studios.

After leaving the porn biz, Lubben became a leading advocate to stomp out the industry.

Lubben testified before Congress and California’s Legislature to discuss human trafficking and expose the inner workings of the industry in attempts to make condoms mandatory in productions. She even took her message to the “The Howard Stern Show.”

In 2008, Lubben started up the Pink Cross Foundation, an organization helping women and men to get out of the porn business. She also wrote a book, “Truth Behind the Fantasy of Porn,” an autobiography.

Four years later, Lubben appeared in the first “After Porn Ends” documentary. Whiteacre started his documentary a year earlier.

Lubben told the Porterville Recorder three years ago that she was considered “the most hated women in America” by the adult entertainment industry.

“It’s amazing I’m still alive, that they haven’t killed me,” Lubben told the Recorder. “I’ve done everything I can to stomp on this industry.”

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Texas Resumes AV Lawsuit Against Aylo Following SCOTUS Decision

A district court judge in Texas has unfrozen the state’s $1.6 million lawsuit against Aylo for allegedly failing to comply with age verification requirements, Bloomberg Law is reporting.

Nadia Jay Stars in Latest From Brazzers

Nadia Jay stars with Mick Blue in the latest release from Brazzers, titled "Fucking the Bath Voyeur."

Tommy Gunn Reflects on His Legendary Past as He Looks to the Future

Tommy Gunn is wearing an eyepatch. It’s not an homage to the classic "Pirates" porn parody franchise, in which Gunn takes on the Johnny Depp role. The eyepatch is a temporary measure to help him deal with a nerve palsy that came out of nowhere several years ago and affects his vision from time to time. Gunn needs his vision. As one of the adult industry’s longest-serving male stars, he still has plenty to look forward to.

Rocco Siffredi Directs New Rebel Rhyder Showcase

Evil Angel has released Rocco Siffredi’s Rebel Rhyder showcase title, "Rebel Meets Rebel."

JuicyAds Wins Trademark Infringement Case Against Fraudulent Domain

JuicyAds has won its World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) case against a website using a similar domain to impersonate the company's site and defraud customers.

Shalina Devine Toplines 'Thr3e #7' From Dorcel

Shalina Devine headlines the latest release from Dorcel, titled "Thr3e #7."

Chloe Amour Headlines 'Unfaithful Betrayal 3' From Bellesa Films

Chloe Amour toplines the third volume of “Unfaithful Betrayal” from Bellesa Films.

Anissa Kate, Jordan Starr Top AEBN for Q2 of 2025

AEBN has published its top-selling stars for the second quarter of 2025, with Anissa Kate landing atop the leaderboard for straight theaters and Jordan Starr heading up the gay rankings.

Misty Addams Makes Her WIFEY Debut

Misty Addams stars with husband Island Boy Brandon and 2024 XMA Europas Male Performer of the Year Christian Clay in the latest release from Vixen Media Group studio imprint WIFEY.

AEBN Reveals Eva Maxim as Top Trans Star for Q2 of 2025

AEBN has published its top trans stars list for the second quarter of 2025, with Eva Maxim landing atop the leaderboard.

Show More