The brain of Robert Card, the man responsible for the horrific Maine massacre that left 18 dead and 13 injured, is now under the microscope. In a stunning development, officials revealed that a tissue sample from Card’s brain has been sent to a specialized lab in Massachusetts. The burning question: did a brain injury from his time in the Army Reserves trigger the catastrophic events of that fateful day at a bowling alley and bar in Lewiston?
The case, which has gripped the nation, takes a new turn as the state’s chief medical examiner delves into the possibility that Card’s military service left him with undetected trauma, potentially sparking the bizarre and deadly rampage on October 25. This extraordinary measure, as explained by a spokesperson for the medical examiner’s office, represents a commitment to thoroughness, given Card’s military background and his alarming actions leading up to the massacre.
“In an event as tragic and complex as this, it’s crucial we leave no stone unturned. We owe it to the victims and their families to explore every possible avenue that might explain such inexplicable violence,” Lindsey Chasteen, the office administrator, stated in an email.
Card, who was 40 years old, was found dead from an apparent suicide two days after the shootings, ending a manhunt that had the state on edge. Now, his brain tissue has been sent to Boston University’s CTE Center, known for its groundbreaking work on brain trauma, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy. This condition, notorious for its impact on professional athletes, could hold the key to understanding Card’s actions.
The lab’s involvement, however, remains shrouded in confidentiality, pending permission from Card’s family, who have yet to respond to requests for comment.
Card’s descent into paranoia and delusion is now coming to light, with family members reporting alarming behavior that led to his hospitalization last summer. His disturbing thoughts and restricted access to weapons upon discharge paint a picture of a man in crisis, with fears of a mass shooting explicitly voiced by at least one fellow reservist.
Despite laws in New York and Maine designed to remove weapons from those in mental health crises, these measures were not enacted in Card’s case. This failure, coupled with law enforcement’s inability to make contact with Card at his home weeks before the tragedy, adds layers of complexity and missed opportunities in preventing the catastrophe.
As the investigation continues, the focus shifts to the potential impact of Card’s military training on his mental health. Could his exposure to repeated blasts while training cadets at West Point be the missing piece in this puzzle? As the nation awaits answers, this case serves as a chilling reminder of the unseen scars of service and the urgent need for better mental health interventions for our veterans.
