Stories like this are what give BDSM such a bad name.
I seem to remember a case recently where a Dom left a sub tied up in a closet overnight. He had a mask on the guy and I think he wrapped his head in plastic, leaving him a little tube to breath through. The tube came out of his mouth and he suffocated.

In court the Dom's defense was that this (bdsm) is a dangerous activity and anyone who comes to him knows that and ultimately is responsible for his own safety. He expected the community to come to court and defend him.

They did come to court, but not for the reason he hoped for. A pro Dom testified that he had gone too far. That the safety of the sub is the most important rule in bdsm. Several of this clown's former victims (oops clients...well, maybe I was right the first time) came to testify that he has a reputation for reckless behavior, including ignoring safewords. I think he'll be in jail for a long time.

One thing that will help to counter bdsm's "bad name" is for people to come forward when stuff like this happens and speak up.

If I remember the story correctly, there were folks in the community who wanted the Dom who testified to keep quiet and lay low, hoping the whole thing would blow over and be forgotten.

It won't. The only way to be sure that the public has the right impression of this lifestyle is to speak up.