Las Vegas Gunman’s Girlfriend Marilou Danley Says She Never Expected Violence From Him

Las Vegas gunman Stephen Paddock’s girlfriend, Marilou Danley, says she “never expected violence” from him, and is “devastated” by the carnage he caused during his shooting rampage, CNN is reporting.

Danley, who was in the Philippines when the massacre occurred, flew back to the U.S. this week because she knew investigators would want to speak with her. After arriving at Los Angeles International Airport on Tuesday, she spoke on Wednesday with both the FBI and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

No Indication Of Violence

In a statement issued through her attorney, Matt Lombard, Danley indicated that Paddock never said or did anything that suggested he was prone to violence or planning a shooting spree.

“[Paddock] never said anything to me, or took any action that I was aware of, that I understood in any way to be a warning that something horrible like this was going to happen. It never occurred to me in any way whatsoever that he was planning violence against anyone.”

Further, she says, she remembers Paddock as a “kind, caring, quiet man,” and that she looked forward to planning a future together with him.

Stephen Paddock rented a room near a Las Vegas festival that took place a week before the massacre, sheriff says https://t.co/JqVdGikzfG pic.twitter.com/TwDJLqerrx

— CNN (@CNN) October 5, 2017

An Abusive Relationship?

Marilou’s description of her former boyfriend as a kind and caring man stand in sharp contrast to statements made by Las Vegas Starbucks employees who claim to have observed the couple in public.

As previously reported by the Inquisitr, Starbucks supervisor Esperanza Mendoza told claimed she often witnessed Paddock verbally abusing a cowed Marilou.

“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. It happened a lot.”

Other Starbucks employees described Paddock as “quiet,” and “rude” to Danley.

“Sent Away” To The Philippines

Authorities are now taking an interest in Danley’s movements before, during, and after the Las Vegas massacre.

Two weeks before the massacre, Danley claims, Paddock bought her a plane ticket to the Philippines, ostensibly because he wanted her to have the opportunity to visit her family. While she was away, Paddock wired $100,000 to a bank account in the Philippines. Danley would later claim that Paddock told her the money was intended so she could buy a home for her family.

Danley’s sister, who lives in Australia, believes that Paddock sent Marilou to the Philippines to get rid of her while he carried out his massacre.

“She was sent away so that she will be not there to interfere with what he’s planning. In that sense, I thank him for sparing my sister’s life.”

Marilou’s family brushes off any suggestion that she was herself prone to violence.

“She’s a good person, a gentle soul, a mother, a grandmother, a sister, a friend.”

Meanwhile, authorities say that Marilou is fully cooperating with the investigation.

This is a developing story. The Inquisitr will provide more information about the Las Vegas shooting as it becomes available.

[Featured Image by Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department/File/AP Images]