Mentally ill Dali man kills father, injures brother, self

The suspect, surnamed Chen, 43, recently was released from a hospital, where he had been receiving treatment for his deteriorating mental state beginning two months ago. While Chen has a moderate case of bipolar disorder, his elder brother, 45, is diagnosed with severe mental retardation. The brothers lived with their father, 76, subsisting on government subsidies for low-income and disabled citizens.

Chen's neighbor surnamed Liao, heard loud slamming noises at about 4 a.m. and rushed to see what was going on. Liao found the suspect in his house, smashing a TV, a door and glass with a hammer. Chen then apparently struck his brother in the back with the hammer before bashing his own head. Another neighbor, surnamed Hsiao, immediately called the police, media reported.

By the time police arrived, blood covered the floor. Chen's father died from head trauma, while both Chen and his brother were lying on ground, severely injured. Officers sent the suspect to the hospital for treatment before questioning him; however, Chen kept talking to himself during the interview, unable to answer officers' questions.

Due to Taiwan's lack of public health options for the mentally challenged, most of these patients, including a few with violent tendencies, stay with family. This arrangement can potentially lead to tragedy, according to a Taiwanese patient group, adding that local governments should arrange more activities for patients in the daytime, offering them opportunities to befriend others.

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