Songwriter's Son Sued Over Designer Girlfriend's Death

A lawsuit says a songwriter's son charged with murdering his swimsuit designer girlfriend in a New York hotel had also drugged her.

Sylvie Cachay's father sued Nicholas Brooks Tuesday.

Brooks has pleaded not guilty to murder in Cachay's December 2010 death. Medical examiners say she was strangled and drowned.

Brooks told police Cachay took unspecified medication and was woozy and sleeping when he left their hotel room. His lawyer, Jeffrey Hoffman, had no immediate comment on the suit.

It says Brooks drugged her earlier that evening, then beat and killed her. The suit says he stole from her during their six months together, and she tried to break up with him.

Cachay family lawyer Susan Karten wouldn't elaborate.

Brooks' father was "You Light Up My Life" writer Joseph Brooks. Brooks committed suicide in May as he awaited trial on rape charges.