Denise Salmon Burditus was killed, along with 59 other people, in the deadliest shooting in United States history. On Sunday, she attended the Route 91 Harvest country music festival with her husband of over 30 years. She later died in his arms that night in Las Vegas.
The shooting occurred on Sunday at around 10 P.M. when suspected mass shooter 64-year-old Stephan Paddock opened fire from his room on the 32nd floor of a Mandalay Bay hotel, across the street from the concert. He fired down upon the crowd below, causing 60 deaths and 526 injuries. Authorities are still investigating the motive in the shooting, and are still clueless as to why someone would commit such a gruesome act.
About a half hour before the shooting, Denise posted a picture and message to Twitter, suggesting that she was excited about the event. Sources and social media posts indicate that she and her husband had been looking forward to the country music festival for months.
https://twitter.com/DeniseBurditus/status/914710754825183233
On Monday, Denise’s husband Tony Burditus posted a message to Facebook, confirming his wife’s death. WSAZ reports him as writing, “It saddens me to say that I lost my wife of 32 years… this evening in the Las Vegas shooting… Denise passed in my arms. I LOVE YOU BABE.”
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10209548447249669
Tony Burditus has since changed his profile picture to an image of him and his wife kissing. One user wrote on the picture, “My heart is broken for you. GOD Bless you and your family.”
Another commented, “Seems like forever ago, but I will always remember the good times hanging out with you guys on Torii beach. Wonderful woman. God bless you and strength to you and your family. Always here for you brother.”
Denise describes herself on Facebook as being “semi-retired.” She was originally from Hedgesville, West Virginia. Shortly before her death, she was living with Tony and her family in Martinsburg, West Virginia. Denise reportedly moved around a lot because of her husband’s military job.
On August 3, Denise updated her Facebook photo to read: “I love you a bunch. You will forever be my always.”
