By Canadian Press

Second psychiatrist had worried Desmond was ‘falling through the cracks’

Feb 4, 2020 | 12:11 PM

GUYSBOROUGH, N.S. — A psychiatrist who saw Lionel Desmond two days before he fatally shot his family and himself says the former soldier showed no signs he was thinking about hurting anyone when he showed up at the hospital in Antigonish, N.S., on Jan. 1, 2017.

Dr. Faisal Rahman, who has extensive experience treating veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, testified that Desmond said he had come to the hospital because he was suffering from the symptoms of the disorder after having an argument with his wife Shanna, who told him to leave their home for the night.

He said Desmond admitted to striking a table and startling his 10-year-old daughter, something for which he felt remorseful.

The psychiatrist said at the conclusion of a 30- to 40-minute conversation with Desmond, he concluded the patient was pleasant, engaging, forthcoming, calm, composed and showed no symptoms of psychosis.

However, Rahman told a fatality inquiry today that he was aware of another psychiatrist’s assessment that raised concerns about Desmond’s treatment for mental illness.

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On Jan. 3, 2017, Desmond fatally shot his wife, mother and daughter with a military-style carbine he had legally purchased earlier in the day. He then turned the gun on himself.

As for the note from the other psychiatrist, the inquiry was told that in the fall of 2016, Dr. Ian Slayter was worried that Desmond’s case seemed to be “falling through the cracks” in terms of follow-up by military and veterans’ programs.

The note also stated that Slayter was concerned about Desmond’s “borderline delusions” regarding his wife’s fidelity — though he rated Desmond’s risk of suicide as low.

Rahman said he was aware of Slayter’s concerns, having skimmed his three-page report the night he met Desmond. 

However, Rahman stressed that Slayter’s note gave a sense of relief because it was clear Desmond had sought help before and was receiving treatment from the hospital’s outpatient mental health clinic.

The note also said Desmond was seeing a social worker from the federal Veterans Affairs Department and he had an appointment with a therapist.

“I thought it was a good plan,” said Rahman.

During his own interview with Desmond, Rahman said he asked the former infantryman if he was thinking of hurting himself or anyone else, or if he had abused his wife.

Desmond denied having suicidal or homicidal thoughts and insisted he had never abused his wife, Rahman said. As well, the veteran told him police had taken away his firearms during an earlier incident.

Rahman said Desmond admitted that “jealousy used to be a problem” with his wife, but he said that problem had abated after he stopped consuming medical marijuana in 2016.

As well, Rahman said Desmond told him about the seven months he served in Afghanistan, where he was involved in intense firefights and was sometimes ordered to place bodies and body parts in body bags.

When inquiry counsel Allen Murray asked if Desmond presented any concerning behaviours, Rahman replied: “No.”

— By Michael MacDonald in Halifax

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 4, 2020.

The Canadian Press