Family of Anaconda Montana shooting suspect (and Iraq veteran) shares his mental health struggles

MTN News spoke with a relative of the suspect to learn more about his background. Clare Boyle, Brown’s niece, expressed deep sorrow for the victims, saying her entire family is devastated by the tragedy.

“My heart breaks for this town. No apology or words could ever truly express how sorry I am for the families affected — including my own,” Boyle said.

She explained that Brown had long struggled with serious mental health issues, including schizophrenia and PTSD linked to his military service. He had a transient lifestyle and was raised in a military family, with his father also serving in the armed forces.

According to Army spokesperson Lt. Ruth Castro, Brown served as an armor crewman in the U.S. Army from 2001 to 2005 and was deployed to Iraq from early 2004 through March 2005. He later joined the National Guard, serving until 2009, and left the military with the rank of sergeant.

Boyle shared that Brown’s mental condition significantly deteriorated after the death of his mother. “He spiraled after losing his last parent. That trauma broke him. The VA eventually told him he no longer qualified for help with medication or treatment,” she said.

She described Brown’s delusions, including beliefs that he was a time traveler and that alcohol interfered with what he called his “wizard powers.” Boyle said that while he was generally non-violent, things could take a turn if others mocked or challenged his delusions.

Brown’s family had repeatedly tried to get him help through the Montana VA and Montana State Hospital, but ran into bureaucratic barriers. “We were told he wasn’t eligible for assistance unless he was deemed a danger to himself or others. We warned them something like this could happen. We said he was not mentally stable, but still found no path forward,” Boyle explained.

She added, “People often forget how painful it is for the family to witness someone they love deteriorate mentally and feel completely helpless to intervene.”

Source: KXLF