Abortion doctor killer 'had history of mental illness'

Scott Roeder 51, the man suspected of killing a prominent US abortion doctor, was a former member of an extreme right-wing Christian militia group.

Mr. Roeder had a history of mental illness, his family said on Monday.

Dr George Tiller, was shot and killed Sunday as he attended church by suspected gunman.  He was gunned down in the foyer of his church on Sunday. His wife Jeanne was in the choir at the time.

In a statement released Monday, Roeder's family admitted he had "suffered from mental illness at various times in his life" but insisted they had never believed he would kill anyone.

In 1996, a district judge said Roeder presented a "threat of danger to the public" after bomb-making equipment was found in his car along with a military rifle, gas mask and ammunition.

Mr Roeder had been involved with the Freemen movement, an extreme Christian conservative and anti-government group – a link which prompted a district attorney to describe him as a "substantial threat to public safety".