Cirque du Soleil performer dies during show at MGM Grand
LAS VEGAS -- A performer with Cirque du Soleil fell to her death during a live show at the MGM Grand on Saturday night, witnesses and officials told the Los Angeles Times.
Sarah Guillot-Guyard, 31, who went by the name Sassoon, was pronounced dead at University Medical Center in Las Vegas shortly before midnight.
Witnesses said Guillot-Guyard was suspended from the ceiling during a performance of “Ka” when she suddenly fell and hit the ground. The show was halted and then canceled.
“The entire Cirque du Soleil family is deeply saddened by the accidental death of Sarah (Sassoon) Guyard, artist on the production ‘Ka,’ that happened on Saturday, June 29, in Las Vegas.... Our thoughts are with her family and the entire Cirque du Soleil family,” Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte said in a statement.
“I am heartbroken. I wish to extend my sincerest sympathies to the family. We are all completely devastated with this news. Sassoon was an artist with the original cast of ‘Ka’ since 2006 and has been an integral part of our Cirque du Soleil tight family. We are reminded, with great humility and respect, how extraordinary our artists are each and every night. Our focus now is to support each other as a family.”
“We have been working with the appropriate authorities and have offered our full cooperation. Performances of ‘Ka’ will be canceled until further notice,” the statement continued.
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