My thoughts go out to the family of Sarah Guyard-Guillot, an amazing performer in KA who died last night. Original cast member. So sad.
— Neil Patrick Harris (@ActuallyNPH) July 1, 2013
Sarah Guyard-Guillot, 31, a Cirque du Soleil veteran, died in a tragic accident in Las Vegas’ MGM Grand on Saturday night. Guillot, also known as “Sassoon,” was performing in the show Ka when she fell 50 feet to her death after her harness snapped, reports the Las Vegas Sun.
Her death is the first onstage fatality during Cirque’s 30-year-history.
RIP Sarah Guyard-Guillot!! pic.twitter.com/7GGZ8apON2
— Angel Porrino (@angelporrino) July 1, 2013
The Sun reports:
Guyard-Guillot was one of the artists suspended by a wire from the show’s vertical stage in the show-closing Final Battle scene. As she ascended to the top of the stage, she slipped free of her safety wire and dropped to the open, unseen pit below the performers.
Our prayers to KA family,My Family will pray for Sarah Guyard Guillot and her family OUR SUPPORT pic.twitter.com/EpbCJTSEg5
— Igor Zaripov (@igorzaripov) July 1, 2013
The famed alternative circus released a statement through their Facebook page:
Cirque du Soleil in Mourning
Las Vegas (June 30, 2013) – The entire Cirque du Soleil family is deeply saddened by the accidental death of Sarah (Sassoon) Guyard, artist on the production KÀ, that happened on Saturday, June 29th, in Las Vegas. The artist’s immediate family has been informed of the accident.
Our thoughts are with her family and the entire Cirque du Soleil family.
“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 KÀ 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. “ said Cirque du Soleil Founder, Guy Laliberté.
We have been working with the appropriate authorities and have offered our full cooperation.
Performances of KÀ will be cancelled until further notice.
Cirque du Soleil kindly asks the media representatives to respect our time of mourning as a Company.