Roy Horn home in time for holidays

Jennifer Knight

Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2003 | 10:49 a.m.

World-renowned illusionist Roy Horn returned to his Las Vegas home Monday after two months at a California medical center where he received special treatment for the stroke he suffered after being attacked by one of the Siegfried & Roy performing white tigers.

Horn's partner Siegfried Fischbacher "had wanted him home for the holidays and now he's home," publicist Dave Kirvin said.

No details were released about the specifics of the 59-year-old Horn's medical condition. Kirvin would only say that his condition is "progressing."

Four Metro Police officers provided traffic control for the ambulance that brought Horn to the home near Rancho and Vegas drives where the duo keep many of their animals, spokeswoman Carla Alston said.

Sheriff Bill Young decided to provide the support after Siegfried & Roy's security detail contacted the department and said they were concerned that papparazzi trying to get photos of Horn in the ambulance could create traffic and security problems, she said. The Metro officers were on the scene for about 15 minutes, she said.

Unlike after the Oct. 3 attack by the pair's 600-pound tiger Montecore during a performance, fans Monday night did not gather at The Mirage or at the Las Vegas home where Siegfried & Roy keep the animals. Immediately after the attack makeshift shrines were created at the sites, which also attracted spontaneous vigils.

Horn's recovery has been slow. He was rushed to the University Medical Center in Las Vegas the night of the attack left him with blood loss from neck and head injuries.

Following a stroke, Horn was transferred to the University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center on Oct. 28 for more specialized treatment.

There has been speculation that Horn's condition is worse than his spokesmen have let on, as various reports have said that he is partially paralyzed and having difficulty speaking. Doctors have been unable to give details because of a family request to keep his information private, Dale Tate, a UCLA spokeswoman, said.

"Our hands are tied," Tate said. "We're not going to have anybody talking in either generic or specific terms about his condition."

Kirvin said Horn will now finish the last leg of his recovery at his "jungle palace" home in the northwest part of Las Vegas.

Mirage spokesman Alan Feldman could not be reached for comment about Horn's homecoming.

Horn will be taken care of by a team of doctors and therapists from Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

Kirvin said Siegfried and Roy plan to spend a "traditional holiday" at their home.

"I think everyone is hopeful and optimistic that he will continue progressing at home," Kirvin said. "We just wanted to let everyone know that he was returning."