Who was Maris Digiovanni? Slain Vegas showgirl refused to take photo with Yoni Barrios before he stabbed her
Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers' discretion advised.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA: In a horrifying mass stabbing at Las Vegas Strip, a showgirl was fatally stabbed by a crazed knife-attacker after she refused to pose for pictures with him. The alleged stabber, Yoni Barrios, first asked the group of showgirls to take a picture of him with a knife on Thursday, October 6. When they declined, he began to stab them fanatically. Maris Mareen Digiovanni, 30 was one of the two victims who died in the attack.
The 30-year-old died in the arms of her friend, Anna, who was trying to give her first aid. In the killing rampage, two victims were proclaimed dead and six were wounded in the broad-daylight attack. The victims who died were identified as Maris Mareen Digiovanni, 30, and Brent Allan Hallett, 47, both from Las Vegas, reports 8newsnow. Cheryl Lowthorp, who runs Best Showgirls in Vegas said Barrios seemed “coiffured” and was “smiling and friendly” just seconds before the attack, reports New York Post.
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“It just happened so fast, he stabbed Maris in the heart,” Lowthorp said of the tragic incident that unfolded on Las Vegas Strip near the Wynn hotel. Lowthorp who was not with the girls at the time of the attack said one of the girls manage to run away but another girl identified as Anna went to give Maris first aid. “She already knew Maris was gone because she passed away in her arms,” Lowthorp added. While Anna was rendering her aid Barrios stabbed Anna in the back, puncturing her lung.
This raw video shot by Montreal tourist Pierre Fandrich shows one of the victims of a mass stabbing on the Las Vegas Strip. Eight were stabbed. Two are dead. Three are critical. | Coverage: https://t.co/v6L29iayAt pic.twitter.com/Ve5gm2M905
— Brett Clarkson (@BrettClarkson_) October 6, 2022
Lowthorp who was visiting her injured employees in the hospital Friday said Anna was no longer in critical condition but was still being treated for her injuries. Two of the other victims are believed to be in critical condition, while the others were all taken to the hospital for their wounds. A GoFundMe account was set up to raise money for the injured girls’ hospital bills by Lowthorp. Maris Digiovanni's husband has also set up a GoFundMe page for "funeral expenses, bereavement, moving costs, travel arrangements, and more. We will add to the list of needs as we encounter more difficulties," reads the page.
Lowthorp described one of the victims Digiovanni as an “exceptional young woman” who had traveled the world and taught English to children in Hong Kong. “She was always looking out for the girls,” Lowthorp said. The girls dressed as showgirls posed for pictures in exchange for tips, as they are not actual showgirls. “If they are not comfortable interacting with certain people, they don’t have to,” she explained. “It’s truly a beautiful sisterhood of women and we had a beautiful and safe place.”
Lowthorp spoke of the incident saying, this is the first violent encounter in all of Lowthorp’s years on the job. “For 12 years, we have been without any arrests and no one has been hurt,” she said. Barrios “did not just take Maris’ beautiful life. This has shattered all of us.” Las Vegas police charged Barrios, 32, with two counts of open murder with a deadly weapon and six counts of attempted murder. Barrios's motive behind the killing spree remains unknown and he is due to appear in court Friday.
Anyone with any information about this incident is urged to contact the LVMPD Homicide Section by phone at 702-828-3521, or by email at homicide@lvmpd.com. To
remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 702-385-5555, or on the internet at www.crimestoppersofny.com.