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Wendy Rush

Showgirl Stabbed On The Strip Tells Her Story

Author Wendy Rush

Anna Westby was working as a showgirl on Las Vegas Boulevard last week when the stabbing on the strip happened. She was one of the victims who was injured. From her hospital bed, Westby told abc7.com of what she saw that horrific morning. Westby said the suspect, now known as Yoni Barrios, approached her and three others asking for a photo. Before she even had time to react, he pulled out the knife and launched at them.

Westby fought back tears as she remembers what happened next. She said Barrios stabbed her friend Maris in the heart first. Maris Mareen DiGiovanni is one of the two victims who did not survive the massacre. Westby then recalls that Barrios chased another friend, whom she referred to as Victoria, and stabbed her in the back. Victoria Caytano was released from the hospital on Friday after being treated for her stab wound.

Westby was also stabbed in the back. But she still tried to help one of the other victims by applying pressure to wound. Westby was still being treated for a punctured lung when she provided her statement of the ordeal.

More details about the suspect’s motive have been provided by abc7.com. According to the report, Barrios was angry about being laughed at by the showgirls. After stabbing them, he ran down the strip looking for more people to attack in effort to get his anger out.

This might have even been residual anger about something completely unrelated. Allegedly Barrios came to Vegas from Los Angeles two days earlier to move in with a friend. When that friend refused to let Barrios stay, he packed his things and headed to the strip via bus. The report also stated that Barrios even apologized to one of the victim’s before he was stabbed, and that Barrios hoped the police would shoot him (abc7.com).

Barrios is due back in court tomorrow to face two counts of murder.

–Wendy Rush, 96.3KKLZ Las Vegas

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5 Easy Ways To Manage Stress When It Surfaces

Stress is a part of daily life. Maybe more now than it was before the digital age. With instant messaging, working from home and other technological advances, we are always available. That means expectations of us are high, and patience in those waiting on us is low. Having to manage stress has become the norm.

Before We Manage Stress, We Have To Know The Good vs. Bad

Now we can’t hate on stress itself. It’s not the bad guy. In fact, stress serves a very important purpose. When a stressor in our environment occurs, our bodies respond with a release of stress hormones. These are the little guys responsible for those bursts of energy that wins the race, or the adrenaline rush you need to lift a car off someone. In small doses, stress is awesome because it makes us capable of great things.

On the flip side, stress that never goes away is bad. Think of stress like your parents visiting for the weekend from their long-distance home. At first, it’s great to see them! You feel all warm and fuzzy when they show up on Friday night. But by Sunday afternoon, you’re ready to kick them out of the car without even slowing down.

Chronic stress, which is the kind that doesn’t go away, can have serious negative health effects. Chronic stress has been linked to things like diabetes, depression and cardiovascular disease. Some experts, including those at the MD Anderson Cancer Center, have even linked it to an increased risk for cancer.

Exercise Is A Great Option, But It’s Not For Everyone

Of course exercise is the first thing people suggest to bring those hormones down. Exercise releases endorphins that help you manage stressful situations more easily. Aerobic exercises like running, dancing, swimming or biking are some of the most beneficial ways to get those feel-good chemicals flowing.

But there are other, less rigorous methods that can be effective too. And some people have injuries or other limitations that make exercise a difficult daily task. So if you’re not a cardio buff like some of us (I’m NOT raising my hand here), here’s a list of other things you can do.

Want more from this author? Check out her home page.

  • 1. Breathing

    Mindful young woman breathing out with closed eyes, calming down in stressful situation, working on computer in modern kitchen. Millennial hispanic lady managing stress, practice yoga at home office.

    Breathing is an excellent way to manage stress in any situation. Just sit in a comfortable chair or lie down. Breathe in while counting to 3 and out while counting to 4. This tells your body to slow down and relax.

  • 2. Yoga

    Serenity And Mindfulness Concept. Portrait of calm smiling African American female holding hands in prayer pose, keeping palms together, meditating, practicing Kundalini Yoga.

    Yoga has pretty much been dubbed the poster child of relaxation. And for good reason. Yoga combines the discipline of the body with the focus of the mind. And it incorporates lots of breathing. Which we’ve already mentioned is great for stress-relief.

  • 3. Nature Walk

    A happy senior woman with dog on a walk outdoors in forest, resting.

    Have you ever wondered why some cities have super chill people living there? Pay attention to how much nature they are surrounded by. Spending some time in nature has been found to help a variety of mental health issues, like anxiety and depression. Taking a walk through trees or along a water bank can have significant stress-relieving benefits.

  • 4. Tai Chi

    Handsome man exercising Tai Chi in the park.

    Much like Yoga, Tai Chi is a practice that combines body and mind with a series of breathing and poses. Tai Chi is usually gentler than Yoga, so it’s great for the elderly or people with physical limitations. But it has great benefits for anyone who wants to incorporate it into their lives.

  • 5. Gardening

    Plant in soil. Happy appealing woman smiling broadly while putting little green plant in the soil for the first time in her life

    This one might comes as a surprise. But have you ever noticed you’re sore after an afternoon of gardening? There’s a lot of stretching, bending and holding core poses involved in it. Digging and carrying around pottery also works out those arms and elevates your heartrate. Plus, with the added benefit of being around nature, it’s like a twofer!

Wendy Rush is the midday host on one of Vegas's top stations, 96.3 KKLZ. She has been with the station for ten years and comes with a diverse career background. In addition to being a radio host, Wendy has lived the Vegas life as an entertainer. She has been a celebrity impersonator, rock band singer, and improv comedian. As a content creator for 96.3 KKLZ, Wendy writes about music, celebrities, mental health and wellness, and life as a Las Vegas local.

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