Bradley Stone cleared by Veterans Affairs doctor one week before murders, suicide
A Veterans Affairs psychiatrist cleared former Marine Bradley Stone of suicidal or homicidal tendencies just a week before he went on a killing spree, slaying six others and then taking his own life.
Stone, who had been in a child custody battle with his ex-wife, killed members of her family Monday. His body was found near his home in Pennsylvania on Tuesday with self-inflicted stab wounds and cuts.
He had a 100 percent disability rating at the VA for post-traumatic stress disorder and had seen his psychiatrist just one week prior to the incident, a VA spokesman told The Washington Times on Wednesday.
“He met with his psychiatrist on December 8th at the Coatesville [Veterans Affairs Medical Center], and the provider noted that at the time of the evaluation, the veteran was without any suicidal or homicidal ideation,” the VA statement said.
A House Veterans Affairs Committee staff member said the committee plans to ask the VA for a “detailed history of any interactions it may have had with Stone,” but declined to comment on the specifics of his case until the committee receives that information.
Just three days before the attack, Stone was at the Veterans Justice Outreach Program in Norristown, Pa. — his final interaction with the VA, the spokesman said.
“The Department of Veterans Affairs expresses our heartfelt condolences to the victims killed in this tragic incident. We are committed to providing the highest quality health care to veterans,” the VA statement said.
Stone had been rated 100 percent disabled since October 2010 and was receiving more than $3,000 a month in benefits, the VA said.
The VA said it is currently conducting a comprehensive review of his care.
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