June 11, 2002

 

Mo. Abbey Gunman Is ‘Mystery Man’
 

Investigators said they have no evidence connecting the shootings to the sex scandal in which Catholic priests have been accused of molesting youngsters.

Mo. Abbey Gunman Is ‘Mystery Man’

CONCEPTION, Mo. (AP) _ Investigators talked to relatives and neighbors of Lloyd Robert Jeffress and began digging into his religious background in hopes of solving the mystery of why he killed two monks and committed suicide in a shooting rampage at an abbey.

“So far we’ve found nothing at all,” Missouri Highway Patrol Sgt. Sheldon Lyon said. “This is the million-dollar mystery man.”

More than 24 hours after the shooting, little was known about Jeffress. The 71-year-old was estranged from his family and had little to do with neighbors in his retirement community in Kearney.

“He was the only odd guy we had around here,” said Velma Dagley, who lived across from Jeffress in Kearney. “Everyone else was always friendly.”

The rampage took place Monday at Conception Abbey, about 90 miles north of Kansas City. The Roman Catholic abbey runs a monastery, a seminary and a publishing house.

On Tuesday, the bells of the abbey’s basilica tolled at 8:40 a.m., when the bloodshed began, for the slain monks. The Rev. Philip Schuster, 85, had been at the abbey for 51 years, and Brother Damian Larson, 64, had been there 32 years. Two other monks were seriously wounded.

Jeffress did not appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol and had no known criminal past, Lyon said. Investigators searching his home in Kearney found anti-depression medication, though it was not clear whether Jeffress had been taking it or when it was prescribed.

Detectives delved into Jeffress’ past, combing through his Social Security and military records. They hoped to retrace his life through his financial dealings, employment, and religious and social background.

According to family members, Jeffress was born in Kansas City, Kan., and became a “devoted” Catholic in his teens, Lyon said. But in recent weeks, he had been attending a Methodist church.

The Rev. Brad Reed, pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Kearney, said Jeffress attended church last Sunday. “He shook my hand and responded with a smile,” Reed said. “He was a quiet gentleman who responded with a word or two at most.

“It’s all very puzzling,” Reed said.

Jeffress, who was divorced, worked for a steel company and later the U.S. Postal Service in the Kansas City area, Lyon said.

Abbey officials said they have searched their guest, seminary and employment records and have found nothing to connect Jeffress to Conception Abbey.

Investigators said they have no evidence connecting the shootings to the sex scandal in which Catholic priests have been accused of molesting youngsters.

Image Caption: Lloyd Robert Jeffress is shown in this undated photo taken from his driver’s license after Jeffress was identified as the gunman who went on a shooting spree at the Conception Abbey in Conception, Mo., Monday, June 10, 2002. Two Benedictine monks were killed and two others wounded in the attack before Jeffress killed himself. (AP Photo/Missouri Highway Patrol)

Mo. Abbey Gunman Is ‘Mystery Man’
AP Online
June 11, 2002