NOLA Mardi Gras Indian Queen Murdered [VIDEO]

Very sad news out of New Orleans, as one of the most beloved Queens of Mardi Gras was murdered in the city Tuesday night (August 11). 55 year old Queen Kim "Cutie" Boutte of the Spirit of the FiYiYi and Mandingo Warriors was pronounced dead from gunshot wounds she suffered in the 7300 block of Read Boulevard. She and another male were taken to a local hospital where they were pronounced dead. They were apparently attending a funeral repast at a banquet hall in New Orleans East when the gunfire happened. The male found with Ms Boutte is currently in stable condition.

According to  WDSU TV, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell issued a statement that said “The loss of Kim Boutte is a heartbreaking blow, to our City and to the community in which she was such a singular voice, and a beloved icon. Big Queen of the Spirit of Fi Yi Yi — may she rest in power, and in God’s perfect peace. No victim of gun violence is just a statistic, and even one is too many. One loss is too great, and this loss cuts deep. The @NOPDnews will bring Kim’s killer to justice, and keep fighting to make our City more safe—- for all of our people.”

To learn more about the history of the Mardi Gras Indians, check out the video from CBS News below, and see photos of Queen Kim Boutte in her full costume from Very Local NOLA