Las Vegas Gunman's Girlfriend 'Devastated,' Wants to Help in the Authorities' Investigation
Marilou Danley, who used to live with Las Vegas gunman Stephen Paddock, recently came forward with her first public statement on Wednesday, Oct. 4. Danley has returned to the United States from the Philippines and has gone into federal custody to help with the ongoing investigation.
Her statement was read outside the Federal Bureau of Investigation's office in Los Angeles by her lawyer, Matthew Lombard, this past Wednesday. Danley was in the office that day for questioning, according to the New York Times. She expressed how devastated she was by the events, as quoted in the transcript.
"I am devastated by the deaths and injuries that have occurred, and my prayers go out to the victims and their families, and all those who have been hurt by these awful events," Danley's statement began.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
"I have faith in God, and I will continue to pray for everyone who has been harmed or hurt. I am a mother and a grandmother, and my heart breaks for all who have lost loved ones," she added.
In her statement, she described Paddock as a kind and gentle man, as far as she knew. In their time together, Danley said she loved him and only hoped for a quiet life for them.
It came as a surprise to her that something like this would happen, and at the hands of her boyfriend at that. She recalled how Paddock gave her a ticket back to the Philippines and told her to go make the trip to see her family again.
Back in her home country, Danley began to worry when Paddock wired her a large sum of money — something he said was for her to buy a house with. At that point, Danley was afraid that Paddock was breaking up with her.
Eric Paddock, the gunman's brother, confirmed to the media just how much his brother doted on Danley. The younger sibling was not surprised in the least that his brother would give $100,000 to Marilou just like that, according to Reuters.
She ended by saying that she will do what she can to provide answers to the Las Vegas tragedy and hopefully give the families of the victims some reprieve.
"I have not made a statement until now because I have been cooperating with the authorities, and I voluntarily flew back to America, because I know that the F.B.I. and Las Vegas police department wanted to talk to me, and I wanted to talk to them," Danley continued in her statement.
"I will cooperate fully with their investigation. Anything I can do to help ease suffering and help in any way, I will do. Please respect my privacy and my family's privacy," she concluded.
