Eddie Ray Routh became infamous for the murder of Chris Kyle, known as “The American Sniper”, and his friend Chad Littlefield.
Routh, a former Marine, committed the murder on February 2, 2013, at a shooting range in Erath County, Texas. His trial and subsequent sentencing attracted significant media attention, highlighting mental health issues among veterans.
Routh’s case was closely linked to Kyle’s high profile following the release of Kyle’s autobiography and subsequent film adaptation.
File
- Full name: Eddie Ray Routh
- Date of birth: September 30, 1987
- Age: 37 years old
- Gender: Male
- Place of birth: Lancaster, Texas, United States
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Former Marine
- Height: None
- Parents: Raymond Routh (father), Jodi Routh (mother)
- Siblings: Laura Blevins (older sister)
- Spouse: None
- Children: None
- Relationship status: Single
- Religion: None
- Ethnicity: White
- Net Worth: $500,000
Early life and education
Eddie Ray Routh, now 37 years old, was born on September 30, 1987 in Lancaster, Texas.
He is the son of Raymond and Jodi Routh and has an older sister, Laura Blevins. From a young age, Routh wanted to join the Marine Corps, a dream he pursued immediately after graduating from high school.
In September 2007, at the age of 20, he was deployed to Iraq, where he served as a prison guard and weapons repairman.
In January 2010, he participated in a humanitarian mission in Haiti. After serving honorably for four years, Routh was discharged from the Marine Corps in July 2011.
Personal life
Eddie Ray Routh suffered from serious mental health problems after serving in the military.
He was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and psychosis, conditions that were exacerbated by alcohol and drug abuse.
Despite being prescribed antipsychotics and antidepressants, Routh often refused treatment and stopped taking his medications.
His mother sought the help of Chris Kyle, hoping Kyle could help with Routh’s mental health issues.
Career
Routh’s military career began with enlisting in the Marine Corps after graduating from high school. He served in Iraq and participated in a humanitarian mission in Haiti.
However, his life after discharge was marred by serious mental health problems, including PTSD and psychosis.
His inability to control these conditions eventually led to the tragic event on February 2, 2013, when he killed Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield.
Net worth
Eddie Ray Routh’s net worth is estimated at $500,000.
Death
Eddie Ray Routh is still alive and is currently serving a life sentence without parole.
Argumentative
The Eddie Ray Routh case was controversial, largely due to the severity of the victims and his mental health issues.
On February 2, 2013, Routh killed Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield at a shooting range. Routh’s mother asked Kyle, a prominent veterans advocate, to help her son deal with PTSD.
During the trial, Routh’s defense attorney argued that he was legally insane at the time of the murders, citing a history of mental illness, auditory hallucinations, and paranoia.
However, the prosecution countered that Routh’s psychotic symptoms were the result of drug and alcohol abuse and not a true mental disorder.
The trial began on February 11, 2015, and concluded with Routh’s conviction for murder on February 24, 2015. The jury’s swift verdict and subsequent life sentence without parole sparked discussions about the adequacy of mental health support for veterans.
Critics say Routh’s serious mental health issues were not adequately addressed by the Veterans Administration, which diagnosed him with PTSD but failed to ensure he received ongoing treatment.
The case also attracted attention because of the huge public interest in Chris Kyle, whose autobiography “American Sniper” was adapted into a successful film.
The intersection of Kyle’s fame, Routh’s mental health struggles and the brutal nature of the crime has made it a flashpoint for debates about veteran care, mental health and gun violence.
