A forensic psychiatrist says an Afghan war veteran who killed three members of his family needed help with homicidal thoughts and PTSD.
Dr. Scott Theriault conducted a psychological autopsy of Lionel Desmond. Theriault works at the East Coast Forensic Hospital in Dartmouth.
He told the fatality inquiry on Monday the treatment Desmond received during his time in the military began to deteriorate after he was medically discharged in 2015.
Theriault says follow-up appointments were not scheduled after the former soldier moved from New Brunswick to Nova Scotia.
Witnesses have testified Desmond did not receive therapeutic treatment in the four months prior to the triple murder suicide.
Theriault also said Desmond told medical professionals he experienced mental and physical abuse in childhood along with racism.
A family member, however, reported he had a stable and happy upbringing.
The inquiry is investigating why Desmond shot his mother, wife, and daughter before turning the gun on himself at their home in Upper Big Tracadie in 2017.
Theriault is set to continue his testimony on Tuesday.
