In the aftermath of the Las Vegas tragedy, authorities are looking for clues as to why Stephen Paddock went on his shooting spree and if he had any help. While his motives haven’t been uncovered yet, some new details are starting to emerge.
As reported at NBC News, just a week before his murderous rampage, Paddock wired $100,000 to an account in his live-in girlfriend’s home country of the Philippines.
Marilou Danley, 62, traveled to Hong Kong on September 25 and was in the Philippines on October 1, when Paddock began his heinous crime. Right now, officials don’t know if the money was intended for her, her family, or some other purpose.
Danely is reportedly on her way back to the US, and it’s certain that authorities will be waiting for her the second she steps off the plane. Paddock and Danely are believed to have started dating this spring, quickly moving in together after the relationship began.
Law enforcement officials have said that Danely is not believed to be involved in the crime “at this time.”
“We have had conversations with her and we believed her, at this time, not to be involved. But obviously that investigation will continue,” Las Vegas Sheriff Joe Lombardo said. “She was not with [Paddock, the suspected shooter] when he checked in. We have discovered he was utilizing some of her identification.”
It appears that Danely was none-wth-wiser to Paddock’s plans, but further questioning of her could reveal some much needed clues into the mental state of the shooter.
She may not have been in on it, but she was present as he purchased large stores of ammunition and weapons. Maybe during that time she asked him what they were for or noticed a change in behavior. Needless to say, she’s a major puzzle piece in this unraveling mystery surrounding the shooter. Hopefully her cooperation will help lead investigators to the answers we all want to hear.
Source: NBC News