Moving this up so as many people see it as possible.
Just a few days ago, I put up a post about a woman who was doused with a flammable liquid outside of a strip club, her place of employment, and set on fire. There are two suspects in this horrific attack, named Nathaniel Petrillo and Rianne Theriault-Odom. In the comments here and elsewhere, there was a great out pouring of support for her.
The new details that have come in since then are few but significant. The woman’s name has been released as Roberta Busby. As of yesterday, she was reported to be in critical but stable condition. This is a relief and excellent news. Her attackers, however, still have not been found and arrested. You can view images of the suspects here. If you know anything, please immediately call the LAPD at 213-485-2531 (or 877-LAPD-24-7 for after-hours and weekend calls).
Perhaps most importantly of all, many of you have asked how you can help Roberta financially with her medical bills. I’ve yet to find anything on that specifically, but after some serious searching, I did find information on an account that has been set up for donations for her children. Remember that Roberta is obviously out of work at the moment, has likely lost her previous livelihood entirely, and that any financial contribution will be a huge help in reducing the overall financial burden she is facing.
According to local CBS affiliate KCAL 9, here is how you can send donations:
If you would like to help the children of dancer Roberta Busby, who was recently set on fire outside the club where she works, bring a check in to any Washington Mutual branch, made out to “Rodrigo Busby For The Benefit Of The Children Of Roberta Busby” or send a check to
3835 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., #256
Westlake Village, CA 91362
Please give if you can, and pass on the information about how to help regardless. If anyone happens to have any additional information, please let me know. And keep up those well-wishes, prayers or whatever it is you’re doing in the hopes that Roberta is going to pull through.
Passing on as I type
Passing it on. This is horrifying.
I’m posting this on my blog as well. Thank you for posting this information, Cara.
Disgusting, scumbag criminals that must be caught.
You can read some inside accounts of this story on my site, from some patrons who were there, and a dancer who works there. Seems the male suspect had a meth problem and was in jail and had early release. He used to DJ at the club. The female suspect is rumored to be someone who applied for a job at the club and was turned down. Also stories flying around that ex-DJ was female suspects pimp and so much more…
Cindi at LukeIsBack.com
[...] by Caroline on 9 February, 2009 From Cara – Just a few days ago, I put up a post about a woman who was doused with a flammable liquid outside [...]
Thanks for this info, Cara.
With all due respect, Cindi, I don’t believe that this is the time to put out rumors about the motives of those who committed this deed. That can come in another day.
Right now, the focus should be on getting the maximum support out to the family and friends of the victim.
I will be posting this to my own blog as well.
Anthony
Spreading the word… thank you.
Thanks for the info on My friend. Her daughter Gabby will appreciate the donations. Thanks to all who can help her.
Another fund has been set up at Santa Barbara Bank and Trust, by a lifelong friend of Roberta’s, http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/02/two-suspects-ar.html is the link to the LA Times article proving this information. Thank you all for your support, Roberta has been my cousin’s and sister’s friend and basically a part of our family for a long long time, she will appreciate all your thoughts and prayers. I can’t say much, but she is doing good, she made it through the weekend, thank you all so much for your support, and for not judging her.
Cassandra
Of course, Cassandra. There’s absolutely nothing to judge. And it appalls me that anyone might judge a victim of such a horrible crime — or judge someone based on the job they do, at all. Thanks for the extra information.
I just heard that Roberta was a brazilian immigrant — as a brazilian, I feel extremely sad for that. If it’s true, it means not only she suffered prejudice because she was a stripper, but also because she was latin.
[...] case anyone didn’t see this over at Feministe . . [...]
[...] with flammable fluid, and set on fire. Busby is currently in the hospital, in stable condition. If you are interested in donating, Feministe has information on where to send money. • New research suggests that simply providing [...]
the suspects were arrested monday in north hollywood.
http://www.ktla.com/landing_topstories/?Two-Arrested-in-Case-of-Exotic-Dancer-Se=1&blockID=205248&feedID=1198
sorry i don’t know how to make that a link you can just click on – i’m not the most computer literate person.
oh, well look at that – i didn’t know it would just become a link you could click on.
anyway, i’m glad these evil people were caught. no word on motive, but they have been booked on attempted murder charges.
[...] as Roberta Busby, was set on fire outside of the club where she worked (h/t Renegade Evolution). Feministe has information on what you can do to help, including links to photos of the suspects of this vile [...]
[...] Help out Roberta Busby and family Jump to Comments Some details here. [...]
Do they accept donationations in non-US currencies?
Thank you for posting a way we can help. It’s disgusting how much coverage I’ve seen that only refers to Ms. Busby as “a stripper” – as if her job is the only important part about this horrifying attack.
That’s horrifying. It doesn’t matter if she was a stripper or a doctor, no one should be attacked like that.
I tried to get information from the hospital and got none but did get the name of the fund for the children. I wanted to leave a note for the family but could not get anywhere with the hospital staff (very protective). Ms. Busby has a little 4 year old girl (so do we) and since her birthday was on VAlentine’s day i desperately wanted to buy her a gift and drop it off so I left a note for the family asking them to call me and let me know if i could do something for her birthday. after all, the kids are just as traumatized if not more, than their mom. I also enclosed a nice check for the kids. no response and so far, the check has not been cashed.