Wednesday, March 30, 2005
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

NORM: Tragedy follows 'Elvis' show work

Elvis impersonator Jesse Garon poses with Melanie Bell, who died Friday after jumping from the Stratosphere observation tower. Mikalah Gordon is on television today. Drew Barrymore gets morning kisses.

A TV producer in town to film an Elvis impersonator show leaped to her death from the 109th floor of the Stratosphere last week, days after asking Elvis, "Has anyone jumped off that before?"

Melanie Bell, 36, of Birmingham, Ala., was found dead Friday on a third-floor rooftop above the hotel's main entrance, Clark County assistant coroner John Fudenberg said.

Jesse Garon, who often appears as Elvis at events with Mayor Oscar Goodman, said Bell joined the crew a week earlier and continually asked about the Stratosphere.

"We were driving to the Double Down (Saloon) last Monday, and she asked, 'Has anyone jumped off that before?' "

The day she died, Bell was to meet executive producer Chris Dryer of Dream Factory, a Los Angeles-based production company, at 10 a.m., according to Garon.

"He got a call saying the car she was using was on the fourth floor parking lot at the Stratosphere and the keys were at the front desk," said Garon. "He knew exactly what that meant. He immediately called security, but it was too late. They have her on video buying a ticket to the observation deck at 9:40."

The night before, Bell had posed with cast and crew at the Welcome to Las Vegas sign on Las Vegas Boulevard.

"We had wrapped on Wednesday, but she worked all Thursday, still putting things together, taking care of her friends to the end," said Garon, who stars in "Vegas Elvis."

"She said she was a former showgirl and had put on weight. It's a terribly sad story."

The Saudi Connection

Loyal readers of Vegas Confidential will recall that on Sept. 23, 2001, it was reported here that, "Security has reportedly never been higher at the ultra-posh Four Seasons Hotel at Mandalay Bay."

The item went on to say about 50 members of a Middle Eastern royal family arrived "within a few days of the Sept. 11 terrorists attacks."

The story went on: "Shortly after the unscheduled arrival here -- they were en route to California -- I'm told family members quickly exchanged their traditional Muslim garb for a more Western look for security reasons."

It took 3 1/2 years to confirm it, but The New York Times reported Monday that newly disclosed FBI documents show members of the Saudi royal family took three flights from Las Vegas between Sept. 19 and Sept. 24, 2001.

I checked back with my source on Tuesday, and he insisted the new documents didn't disclose this shocker: that a sister of Osama bin Laden was among the Saudis.

The FBI documents confirmed that among the more than 100 Saudi royals staying at the Four Seasons and Caesars Palace were some of Osama bin Laden's relatives.

The Saudis got approval to fly at a time when most of U.S. airspace was shut down after the 9-11 terrorist attacks.

The Scene and Heard

"American Idol" contestant Mikalah Gordon is a guest on "The Tony Danza Show" today on KVWB-TV, Channel 21 (2 p.m.). The 17-year-old junior at Cimarron-Memorial High School made it to the top 11 before she was eliminated last week. ...

Pink's Hotdogs, a Los Angeles legend, opens at 11 a.m. today at the Aladdin, near Zanzibar Cafe. See you there.

Sightings

Actress Drew Barrymore and her boyfriend, making out "like crazed lovebirds" during breakfast Easter Sunday at Mr. Lucky's at the Hard Rock Hotel. She's in town to film "Lucky You."

The Punch Line

"Spongebath Bob" -- In a sales ad (from Jay Leno's headline collection)

Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com.