Investigators look at background of abbey shooter

CONCEPTION, Mo. -- 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.

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

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

Conception Abbey, located about 90 miles north of Kansas City, remained closed to visitors for a second day Tuesday. Bells at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, the abbey's spiritual center, tolled at 8:40 a.m. -- the time when authorities believe the bloodshed began.

Bells sounded once for each year that the two slain monks had been there, a longtime tradition honoring deceased members of the order. The Rev. Philip Schuster, 85, had been at the abbey for 51 years. Brother Damian Larson, 64, had been there 32 years.

Detectives were delving into Jeffress' past, combing his Social Security and military records. They hoped to retrace his life through his financial dealings, employment, and religious and social background, said Sgt. Sheldon Lyon of the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Lyon said according to family members Jeffress became a "devoted" Catholic in his teens but was not raised a Catholic. At some point, Jeffress left the church and had been attending Methodist services at a church in Kearney in recent weeks.

'It's all very puzzling'

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. ... That Sunday I preached on the love of Jesus."

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

He also said Jeffress was divorced and that authorities were trying to track down his former wife in nearby Richmond, Mo.

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

Lyon said authorities had not received any tips from the public, which is unusual for such a high-profile cases.

Jeffress did not appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol and had no known criminal past, Lyon said. But 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.

Investigators also searched for a personal phone book in Jeffress' home to contact any acquaintances or relatives. Jeffress had not contacted his daughter or brother, both living in Missouri, for several years, Lyon said.

The abbey planned a memorial service for 7 p.m. Thursday and a funeral Mass for 11 a.m. Friday. Both will be held at the abbey's basilica, and will be open to the public.

"We imagine its going to be one of the largest crowds we've ever received," said Dan Madden, an abbey spokesman.