Man Kills Self in M Buffet Line in Las Vegas, Blames Lack of Freebies and Women
Posted on: April 6, 2015, 02:54h.
Last updated on: April 6, 2015, 03:05h.

The M Resort Spa Casino in Las Vegas is known for having a quiet, upscale atmosphere, one that attracts an older crowd and minimal drama, and many locals in particular flock to the M buffet for a treat.
But any serenity at M was shattered on Easter Sunday just before the early bird dinner hour, when a suicide took place near the resort’s buffet in front of many stunned witnesses.
The incident shocked onlookers, many of whom were there with families, including young children, enjoying a quick Easter dinner at the buffet.
Police were called after a report of gunshots at about 4:50 pm local time, and when officers arrived, they found a man who was dead due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Subsequently identified as 53-year-old John Noble, following a voluminous tome sent to the Las Vegas Review-Journal in anticipation of his own demise, it became clear that he had suffered from troubling mental illness for quite some time by records that were pulled up once his identity became known.
“Today, I end my life due to the M Resort Spa Casino and its employees,” Noble wrote in one suicide note that was inside the 270-page package sent to the paper that also included photos and DVDs, according to the LVR-J.
He blamed situations that unfolded after a 2010 winning of a “free meals for life” plan at the M, a prize that was subsequently revoked when he began harassing female employees at the buffet with presents and inappropriate attention.
Following a prior suicide threat two years ago, also on Easter Sunday, Noble was taken into custody by Las Vegas Metro and taken for a mandatory psychiatric hold at a local state mental facility for observation.
That stay appeared to do little to correct Noble’s actions: he reportedly had an avid and fanatical social media presence, in which he openly attacked M employees by name, especially women who had rebuffed his advances, even going so far as to list their home addresses on the public forums.
Garage Fire Kept Many at Resort for Hours
According to Henderson police spokesperson Michelle French, police also investigated a vehicle fire in the parking garage at M, though the fire wasn’t serious and it wasn’t clear if the two incidents were related.
And while Noble did not apparently attack anyone else around him before shooting himself, the scene was still one of confusion after the incident.
Even those who did not see the suicide heard the gunshot echo throughout the casino, and that sent customers into a panic, running and screaming. However, many then found that they could not leave the resort, because the parking garage was off-limits due to the fire. Some people were forced to wait up to six hours before they could get back to their vehicles.
There were two injuries related to the shooting, both suffered by individuals trying to flee the scene. One person fell and was taken to a local hospital, while another was treated on the scene.
Witnesses Recall Shocking Sights and Sounds
For those who saw the shooting, though, it may leave unfortunate memories for a lifetime, including 13-year-old Sierra Abanilla, online at the buffet when the shooting occurred.
“My brother and I were about [seven feet] away from him, but my grandma was about two steps from him. We heard this loud boom, and it sounded like a balloon that popped but it was too loud to be that,” she told the LVR-J.
The aftermath was frightening for Abanilla, especially considering that it wasn’t immediately clear that the event was a suicide.
“We got to the car, my mom called the police and I called my dad,” she said. “After that I went back out with my grandma and told my brother to stay in the car. I didn’t know what to expect. At the time all we knew was that someone was shot and dead.”
So far, officials at the M Resort have not provided information about the incident.
Las Vegas Suicides
Sin City, despite its surface luster, is no stranger to suicides, with some studies finding that the city is the top destination in the United States for individuals looking to end their lives. According to records dating back to 1998, visitors kill themselves in Las Vegas more than once each month, though many would argue those numbers are much higher.
And while many of these suicides take place out of the public eye in the city’s numerous hotel rooms, some are more spectacular.
The nearby Hoover Dam has been a location that has attracted suicidal individuals; since the O’Callaghan-Tillman Memorial Bridge opened in October 2010, at least seven people have reportedly jumped to their deaths there.
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Last Comments ( 5 )
Being a casino employee myself, it is hard to find any sympathy for this man. These "lonely" men do stalk us women. We are nice because that's our job, but they take it as interest. That one chance encounter with a guest turns into them showing up when you start your shift and sitting your section, sometimes for your full 8 hour shift. They ask prying questions about your personal life, want to know about your kids, husband, etc. Then the gifts start; which are usually rejected, but these people can't take a hint. They start to build this fake love affair in their heads that will never be reciprocated, but because you are nice, greet and tolerate them, the affair in their heads continues. Then it gets to a point where they're trying to hog all your attention to the point you can't take care of your other guests. You talk to your manager, but since they "spend money" there, your concerns are taken lightly. Until a line is crossed and you're able to get security involved and they ban them. Then it's your fault, you led them on, took their money, made them believe they had a chance. I know what bs that is, but victim blaming is the culture in America. I wasn't there and can't speak on this being 100% the case, but from my personal experience, this is what happens. Thankful no one else was hurt in this incident, the bystanders and children as well as the women he harrassed are the real victims here.
Having read much longer accounts of what happened with Mr. Noble at the resort buffet. this is how it looks to me: 1. He didn't have much of a life of his own or any friends. 2. With all those free meals he was at the casino buffet daily. 3. He spent a lot of time there, not only getting to know the staff but actually worming his way into their lives and work relationships. He was not just a typical customer there. 4. After a while people began to back off of him as he was making himself TOO much of a part of their lives, and his constant presence at the buffet was causing problems with the staff. Eventually the casino had to tell him 'no more'. 5. Having lost his free meals and his built-in friend supply, he went over the edge.
I wasnt there but i new John Noble, back in 1991 he was a Annual passholder for Disneyland in california , I worked there , and would see him just about every day ( he new alot of us who worked there in the park, he was a nice guy , always there to help. he would take us out as a Group for Dinner or a movie , and if you told him he ment more to you than a friend, ( he would shower you with gifts) or if you gave him any special attention ( he would Really go out of his way with expensive gifts... .. A Laura Ashley Dress / flowers ifor your Birthday .. ( his family owned Doll city usa in Anaheim, ca) sooo as far as we new ( this was his life Doll city and Disneyland .. looking at it now , ( as he said in his last video , he had many troubles dating back for years , when he would get beat up at school, I nooo he didnt want to cause any harm to others, ( but really if you wanted to kill your self , why make it sooo public ? ( I dont feel it was the M Resorts fault ) the girls that new him ( they were just doing there job and being nice ( and again he took it the wrong way ) I feel we all have our lifes to live , and are doing the best we can ( dont no about setting your car on fire for attention tho, but I feel he was trying to make a statement , killing your self for all the public to see and his car hmmm I believe we should all learn from this and pray for the him , he was surely Troubled.. Thankyou !!!...
Your memory of John is much like my own, though I hadn't seen John since the late 90s. Sadly, I believe John made it happen at the resort to get back at the employee who did him wrong. From what I have read, (which has to be taken with a grain of salt) he specifically looked to see that she was in view when he took his life. To quote what I have found, and to correct the lies that continue to spread via the media, the woman had written this note on Facebook over a year ago: On December 14, 2013, LN posted on her Facebook: "I feel real bad as earlier this year I lied about a close friend and got him kicked out of Buffet that he won for life. I keep feeling terrible as I caused him pain and trouble." I have no kind words for that woman. Just weeks after his mother passed away she chose to spread lies and it cost him the little bit of solace he seemed to have had. He never got over it. Ultimately, his blood is all over her hands.
I was there. I couldn't believe what I heard and what I was seeing. I was about 30 feet away when I heard the bang. I was curious about what I had heard. I looked around my machine and saw at least 100 people stampeding towards the door that was behind me and screaming he's got a gun....run. It was like a scene from a scary movie. I was questioning myself. Was this the way I am going to die. At that time I had no idea who had a gun, did they shoot someone and were they done shooting. I am disabled but I found myself moving as fast as I could for the parking lot so as not to be shot in the back. I am 66 and that will rank as the scariest moments of my life.