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Las Vegas Shooter Stephen Paddock's Autopsy Results Are Finally Released
Stephen Paddock was on anti-anxiety medication, but no no neurological abnormalities were found.
The autopsy results are in for the Las Vegas shooter. According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the shooter, Stephen Paddock, had anti-anxiety medication in his system at the time of death.
Authorities found traces of nordiazepam, oxazepam and temazepam, which are consistent the drug Valium in his urine. The autopsy included toxicology tests and a brain examination. A separate review of his brain done at Stanford University found no neurological abnormalities, such as evidence of Alzheimer’s disease.
In addition to finding the anti-anxiety medication, the autopsy confirmed that the 64-year-old died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head after he opened fire from his Mandalay Bay suite. The autopsy did not indicate any physical or mental reasons that could explain the mass shooting. “It seems that based on the autopsy reports there were no physical excuses for what Steve did,” said his younger brother Eric Paddock. “We may never understand why Steve did this.”
In October 2017, Paddock unleashed what is the deadliest mass shooting in American modern history. At least 59 people were killed and 527 injured on the Las Vegas Strip. The crowd had gathered to watch country musician Jason Aldean perform as part of a three-day festival.
People reported that 23 weapons were discovered in Paddock's hotel room, most of which were military-style rifles. At least one of those rifles had been modified with a “bump stock” style device, which allows for rapid fire without a technical conversion to a fully automatic gun. That device alters the gun’s stock so that the shooter can pull the trigger faster. Other weapons found in Paddock’s possession were converted to fully automatic. Four Daniel Defense DDM4 rifles, three FN-15s and other rifles made by Sig Sauer were found. According to the Los Angeles Times, they were purchased legally.
Paddock was found dead by authorities in the room following the attack. Upon further investigation, an additional 19 weapons were found at the shooter’s home. In addition to the guns, explosives and several thousand rounds of ammunition were found. Material used to make explosives were also located in his car.
Little is still known about Paddock. His family and close friends expressed shock at him being behind the shooting.
[Photo: Getty Images, File]
