Killings devastate girlfriend
Marilou Danley, the Filipino-Australian girlfriend of Las Vegas mass-murderer Stephen Paddock, says she is devastated by his actions. “My heart breaks for those who have lost loved ones,” she said.
MARILOU Danley, the Filipina-Australian girlfriend of Las Vegas mass-murderer Stephen Paddock, says she is devastated by his actions.
Ms Danley, 62, was interviewed by FBI agents in Los Angeles on Wednesday, local time.
Her lawyer, Matthew Lombard, read out a statement.
“I am devastated by the deaths and injuries that have occurred and my prayers go out to the victims and their families,” her statement said.
“I am a mother and a grandmother and my heart breaks for all who have lost loved ones.”
Mr Lombard said Ms Danley had no knowledge of any plans by Paddock to commit a massacre and plans to co-operate fully with the investigation of her boyfriend.
She said she was initially pleased when Paddock wired her money in the Philippines to buy a house for her family, but she later feared it was a way to break up with her.
“It never occurred to me in any way whatsoever that he was planning violence against anyone,” her statement said.
After failing to unearth a motive, the FBI and Las Vegas police are hoping Ms Danley will offer insight into Paddock’s inspiration for creating a sniper’s nest in a suite high in the Mandalay Bay Casino on Sunday night.
He shot dead 59 people and injured more than 500 others at a country music festival from his 32nd floor position.
Ms Danley flew to LA from the Philippines on Tuesday and has been described as “a person of interest” by investigators.
The grandmother is expected to tell FBI agents she was not aware of Paddock’s shocking plan. Ms Danley’s brother in the Philippines said she had a “clean conscience”. “I called her up immediately and she said, ‘Relax, we shouldn’t worry about it. I’ll fix it. Do not panic. I have a clean conscience’,” Reynaldo Bustos told ABC News in Manila.
Ms Danley is expected to be questioned about $US100,000 ($A127,000) Paddock is believed to have wired to the Philippines recently.