Desmond tragedy

Various investigations are underway into the tragedy in Upper Big Tracadie. Lionel Desmond killed himself after killing his daughter, wife and mother.

Premier Stephen McNeil calls it an unspeakable loss. While Lionel Desmond received some treatment for P-T-S-D from the federal goverment, the premier says it’s unclear what kind of care, if any, was provided by the province.

A relative says Desmond recently tried to check himself into the mental health unit at St. Martha’s Regional Hospital in Antigonish, but was told there were no beds and they didn’t have his files.