Walmart Shooting: LSD Damaged Suspect's Brain, Relative Says

DENVER, CO — The man charged with shooting three people to death at a Thornton, Colorado, Walmart suffered brain damage from taking LSD nearly three decades ago and has been hearing voices in his head ever since, his stepsister said. Scott Ostrem was outgoing, sociable and athletic before taking the drug in 1988, Michelle Willoughby told The Denver Post in a story published Monday. Afterward, he became a recluse haunted by voices and said the devil was after him, she 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, Willoughby said. He never received help from mental health professionals, she said.

Willoughby said she's heartbroken for the victims.

Prosecutors filed murder and attempted murder charges against Ostrem but authorities Monday made no mention of a possible motive.

Ostrem opened fire in the Walmart last Wednesday, investigators said, killing Pamela Marques, 52, of Denver, Carlos Moreno, 66, of Thornton, and Victor Vasquez, 26, of Denver.

Ostrem did not enter a plea and was jailed without bail. The murder charges carry a sentence of life without parole or the death penalty. Prosecutors have not said whether they'll seek Ostrem's execution.

The judge scheduled a Feb. 5 preliminary hearing for prosecutors to lay out their case. The judge will decide if the evidence is sufficient for a trial.

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Photo credit: David Zalubowski/Associated Press