THORNTON, Colo. — The stepsister of the man charged with fatally shooting three people at a Thornton Walmart said he suffered brain damage from taking LSD nearly 30 years ago and has been tormented by voices in his head since then.
Michelle Willoughby told the Denver Post that Scott Ostrem had been outgoing, sociable and athletic before taking the drug in 1988.
Afterward, she said he became a recluse haunted by voices saying the devil was after him.
Willoughby said Ostrem was frequently counseled by a Catholic priest who placed a crucifix on his forehead, commanded demons to leave his body and asked God to silence the voices.
She said Ostrem never got help from mental health professionals.
Willoughby said she’s heartbroken for the victims.
Ostrem was formally charged with six counts of first-degree murder and 30 counts of attempted murder on Monday afternoon.