Hay River, NWT, murder suspect has history of violence - CBC.ca

Records show that Richard Deleeuw, 25, had a history of displaying erratic behaviour. Documents show he heard voices and thought he was being followed by groupies and paparazzi. (CBC)

The Hay River, N.W.T., man accused of killing his mother showed violent and erratic behaviour in the past.

Richard Deleeuw, 25, faces a second-degree murder charge in relation to the death of his mother, Linda Lafferty.

In 2009, he was convicted of assault against a family member. Court records show that a member of Deleeuw's family called the RCMP after Deleeuw threatened them with a pair of scissors.

The family member said they weren't necessarily scared for their own safety, but called the police because they were scared he might hurt someone else.

The RCMP arrested Deleeuw. The officer reported that Deleeuw was acting erratic and talking about secret organizations.

Deleeuw ended up spending three months in jail and served 12 months probation for the assault.

Some time after he was released, Deleeuw was admitted to a facility for psychiatric care.

Medical records say he heard voices, thought he was able to jump into mirrors and candles and that he thought he was being followed by groupies and paparazzi.

The records show that Deleeuw also thought he could pick up certain radio channels which no one else could. He said the radio channels often had information specific to him.

The documents say that when Deleeuw was taking an anti-psychotic drug, there was no longer evidence of psychotic behaviour and he was released.

A source close to the family said they had trouble keeping Deleeuw on his medication.

Family life changed dramatically after death of father

Court documents show Deleeuw had a normal family life, but things changed after his father died in a work-related accident.

Deleeuw was just 13 years old, and he took over as head of the family. His mother, whom he is now accused of killing, once described her son as the protector of the family.

Deleeuw disappeared for some time. In 2008, he was found guilty of trafficking cocaine and was sentenced to 12 months in jail.

After that, he moved back to Hay River, N.W.T, in 2009.