I highly doubt he is a crack user. He doesn't show signs of that level drug use. Crack is expensive now. The choices for people like him, especially in the rural parts of America where he's traveled to, is meth, weed, and pills. He doesn't look like a meth user. I'm sure it's pills, IF anything at all. Alcoholic, there's a strong chance but I don't think that has any effect on what happened, as he probably just drank it away after committing the crime. Underlying chronic psychological issues and psychotic hallucination alone can be enough to carry out the actions he did, before, during, and after, which took thought, planning, and precision, according to the information we currently now. The mental illness problem in the prison system, and with criminals, is greatly under-addressed.
This guy was transient to avoid problems. He moved from state to state, different judicial systems, to avoid further trouble.
I don't understand how guys like this get girls so seemingly easy. And who knows really about the <modsnip> girlfriends that spoke to the press about him. No one has confirmed or vetted those relationships, or the details. Why didn't they have photos of themselves together for the press? And I'm sure IF they were legit, they greatly exaggerated.
All this adds up to is he knows how to manipulate people and situations. I'm looking forward to seeing his educational history, and childhood. I really hope that lessons can be learned from this <modsnip> to prevent future tragedies.