Parents of 'American Sniper' killer reveal connection
The parent’s of Eddie Routh - the veteran convicted of killing the man who inspired the film ‘American Sniper’- have spoken to media for the first time, revealing how their son came to know his victim.
Eddie Ray Routh gunned down Navy Seal Chris Kyle and neighbour Chad Littlefield at a gun range in 2013. Both men were reportedly trying to help Routh, who they saw as a troubled veteran. Eddie was charged with capital murder late last month and sentenced to life without parole.
His parents, Jodi and Raymond Routh, spoke to TV psychologist Dr Phil on his day time show about the lead up to the shooting.
Jodi says she struggled to get help for Eddie, who was suffering from post-traumatic distress disorder (PTSD). Desperate for help, she contacted Chris who had established an organisation to help veterans with PTSD.
“I said, ‘Chris, would you be willing to help my son? He’s a former Marine, and he has PTSD, and he really needs some help, and we’re not getting what we need,’” she told Dr. Phil.
“And he said, ‘Yes. I would be willing to help,’ and that was my first day in several years that I really felt like anybody even cared if Eddie got the help that he needed or not.”
A week later her son would fatally shoot Chris and his friend Chad.
“I would’ve never asked if I had an idea that this could happen,” she says.
Chris did four tours of duty of Iraq and wrote an autobiography of his experiences which inspired the Hollywood blockbuster ‘American Sniper.’
