The family of former NFL player Phillip Adams has decided to have his brain tested for a degenerative disease that has affected a number of pro athletes and has been shown to cause violent mood swings and other cognitive disorders.
Adams killed his doctor, three of his family members and an air conditioning technician before fatally shooting himself on April 7. While routine forensic autopsies “do not identify chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE),” the York County, South Carolina, Coroner’s Office said it will work in tandem with Boston University researchers who have been at the forefront of the degenerative brain disease.
“We have contacted Boston University and they will be working with us to conduct a brain study to identify if Mr. Adams had CTE,” according to a statement from York County Coroner Sabrina Gast to NBC News. “We are unsure of the time frame for results at this time.”