Family briefed in Lionel Desmond investigation

A relative says he feels staff at St. Martha’s Hospital in Antigonish handled Lionel Desmond appropriately when he went there looking for help. Later Desmond killed his mother, wife and daughter and then himself.

Albert MacLellan and other members of Desmond’s family were briefed yesterday on how the health-care system dealt with the Afghan war vet who was suffering from PTSD. MacLellan didn’t comment on the details of the report, but said Desmond was not turned away by hospital staff as he had told his sisters. He feels the health authority dealt with Desmond to the best of its ability.

The authority also is not releasing any details of its report.