Other Marines who knew him have been saying that he never saw combat, and they question whether he actually had PTSD. Some are saying that he always seemed a little bit “off.”
Maybe he had another type of mental illness. Whatever the case, I think you’re right that what he did had to do with the custody battle.
I don’t think his ex-wife was the problem. Other people are saying that she told people he was dangerous. He has demonstrated just how right she was. Instead, this seems to have been an issue of control for him. Obviously, he planned to kill his ex-wife, and he wanted to ensure that, whether he was in prison or dead, her side of the family wouldn’t be given custody.
Without a doubt, he probably saw himself as a victim. But, in reality, as we all can see, he was the monster. Now six people have been killed, and those young children and their 17yo cousin must live with the horror of having witnessed the murders of their loved ones.
Sadly, this man isn’t so unusual. I have some experience talking with women in similar situations, trying to talk them out of those situations - and, okay, I had some personal experience myself - and let’s just say that these types of guys seem to be sociopathic. It’s all about control with them. (Not that there aren’t women with similar issues.)
I think we can agree on this situation being a mental illness, and control. There is always a trigger to setting it off, so maybe it was her engagement...but he had already remarried and had another child.