Marilou Danley, Girlfriend Of Las Vegas Shooter Stephen Paddock, Living In L.A. Mansion
Their relationship had been deteriorating.
facebook No matter your political affiliation, there’s no doubt that the U.S. is suffering from an ongoing epidemic: mass shootings. Virginia Tech, Fort Hood, Sandy Hook, San Bernardino, Stoneman Douglas, El Paso, Orlando — all these horrible mass killings have taken place in the last 12 years.
And while the 2016 Orlando nightclub massacre was considered the deadliest, on October 1, 2017, the Las Vegas shooting claimed the lives of 58 innocent victims. Stephen Paddock, a 64-year-old accountant, amateur pilot, real estate investor, and video poker gambler, opened fire on people attending the Route 91 Harvest music festival on the Las Vegas strip.
Over 22,000 people attended the festival when he opened fire, killing 58, wounding 422, and bringing injury to 851. He fired more than 1,100 rounds over a 10-minute period from his suite on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel. He then took his own life.
In the weeks and months following, authorities pieces together a timeline of events, including the meticulous plans Paddock had. Still, to this day, police do not have a motive. But during the investigation, they questioned his girlfriend about any information she may have had, as she was a person of interest in the case.
Who is Marilou Danley, Stephen Paddock's girlfriend? The two met in Reno, Nevada and lived together. When Paddock committed the mass murder, Danley was in the Philippines, clearing her from direct involvement.
However, according to an affidavit, as reported by the LA Times, Danley was identified quite early in the investigation as “the most likely person who aided or abetted Stephen Paddock based on her informing law enforcement that her fingerprints would likely be found on the ammunition used during the attack.” She told investigators that she “occasionally participated in the loading of the magazines.”
And witnesses came forward about their relationship after the shooting. Workers at the Starbucks in a Mesquite, Nevada casino said Paddock would constantly berate Danley in public. Esperanza Mendoza, a supervisor at the Starbucks, commented, “He would glare down at her and say — with a mean attitude — ‘You don’t need my casino card for this. I’m paying for your drink, just like I’m paying for you.’ Then she would softly say, ‘OK,’ and step back behind him. He was so rude to her in front of us.”
During the investigation, Danley revealed that her relationship with Paddock had been declining. He was “unable to perform” during sex, forbid her to wear makeup and perfume, and was suspected of being bipolar, though he refused to take medication. Family friend, Adam LeFevre, also claimed that Paddock was seeing prostitutes, and had made Danley feel increasingly “nervous and jittery.”
“Not a loving, caring relationship. Spoke to her in an abrupt manner at times. Marilou — as I said, a lovely girl — seemed very nervous and jittery around Steve. He would talk in more of a condescending way at times and I thought whilst concerned, was prepared to dismiss it as ‘that’s his nature,’” he said.
But now, two years after the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history, Danley appears to be moving on. She apparently told a reporter for the Courier Mail that she’s “in peace right now.” Currently, she’s living in a large home in Los Angeles whose estimated value is $2.2 million, owned by her daughter and son-in-law, and has resided there since the shooting. Danley also attends church on Sundays.
Samantha Maffucci is an editor for YourTango who focuses on writing trending news and entertainment pieces. In her free time, you can find her obsessing about cats, wine, and all things Vanderpump Rules.