Officials will examine the brain of Phillip Adams, a former professional footballer accused of fatally shooting a South Carolina doctor, three family members and a repairman before committing suicide, will be tested for a degenerative disease.
York County coroner Sabrina Gast said in a statement to the media on Friday that Adams’ family allowed him to take the exam as part of his autopsy. The exam will be conducted in conjunction with Boston University.
The autopsy will be an attempt to test for chronic traumatic encephalopathy or CTE. The disease has been detected in a number of other former football players who have suffered repeated brain injuries.
Gast did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Hill.
Authorities say Adams, 33, went to a prominent doctor, Robert Lesslie, 70, on Wednesday afternoon. Police found Lesslie, along with his wife, Barbara Lesslie, 69, and their two grandchildren shot dead. James Lewis, an air conditioning technician who worked at home Wednesday, was also killed.
Adams was found dead shortly after midnight in his parents’ home with a single self-inflicted wound.
Lesslie had treated Adams. Police are still looking for a reason to shoot.