Lisa Patterson had gone to the three-day Las Vegas music festival with three girlfriends on a well-deserved break from raising three kids, coaching softball and working with the family's hardwood floor business.
She had called her husband Saturday unsure whether to stay for the final night of the show.
"She was torn if she should come home Sunday night or stay and watch the whole concert and I told her to stay and have fun," said her husband Bob.
She was among the 59 people shot and killed at the in Sunday night's massacre, carried out by former Southern California resident Stephen
Paddock, 64. Hundreds were injured.
Bob got a call something happened, texted his wife but got no response.
He called and called for hours, called her friends who said they got separated from her.
Bob drove to Las Vegas Monday morning and searched all day at four hospitals and the Convention Center. When a woman from the coroner's office said she wanted to take him into another room, he knew.
"One of her friends told me she saw her get shot and was unconscious and there was still shooting and they had to leave her," Bob said. "Someone did CPR and I appreciate everything they did."
Patterson broke the news to their three children, shielding the youngest by telling her mom died in accident.
Lisa's dog Holly Wolf howls each time someone new comes to the family home, expecting Lisa to return.
Bob says he'll never understand how someone could hurt innocent strangers, especially a loving wife and mother like Lisa.
"I don't understand," he said. "They were having such a good time. My wife loved life. She really did."
Lisa's five siblings have flown in from out of state to be with her mom in Lomita.
Lisa volunteered at the local Catholic church. A mass is planned for Friday.
