Marine who died after wild Arizona chase wrote of stress

The Rocky

Originally published 08:52 a.m., May 16, 2008
Updated 08:52 a.m., May 16, 2008

TUCSON — A decorated Marine Corps staff sergeant who apparently fatally shot his brother before killing himself at the end of a long police chase in Arizona had served four tours in Iraq, recently met President Bush and was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, his widow said Thursday.

Pinal County Sheriff's spokesman Mike Minter said no motive has been established for why Travis N. "T-Bo" Twiggs, 36, killed his 38-year-old brother Willard J. "Will" Twiggs and then himself on Wednesday.

Nor is it known why both brothers earlier in the week may have tried to commit suicide by attempting to drive their car into the Grand Canyon.

"All this violent behavior, him killing his brother, that was not my husband. If the PTSD would have been handled in a correct manner, none of this would have happened," Kellee Twiggs, the wife of Staff Sgt. Travis Twiggs, said in a telephone interview from Stafford, Va.

She said her husband began changing after his second tour of duty in Iraq. His condition worsened after he returned from his third stint there, when he lost two very good friends from his platoon.

"He went and saw a physician's assistant who said that was the severest case of PTSD she'd seen in her life," Kellee Twiggs said.

Travis Twiggs was given medications for mood elevation and sleeping to get him calmed down before beginning therapy. But again he was sent back to Iraq "and he was very, very different, angry, agitated, isolated and so forth," upon his return, Kellee Twiggs said. "He was just doing crazy things." She said her husband was treated in the psychiatric ward of Bethesda Naval Medical Center and then sent to a Veterans Administration facility for four months. But Kellee Twiggs said she couldn't understand why he was not sent to a specialized PTSD clinic in New Jersey.

"They let him out. He was OK for a while and then it all started over again," she said, adding that Travis Twiggs was working with the Wounded Warrior Regiment and had accompanied a group to Washington a few weeks ago where he met President Bush at the White House.

"He said, 'Sir, I've served over there many times, and I would serve for you any time,' and he grabbed the president and gave him a big hug," Kellee Twiggs said.

She said she believes her brother-in-law joined her husband in driving West "because T-Bo was hurting so bad and for so long that Will's life was a little in chaos. For them to both drive off into the Grand Canyon, they both apparently wanted to end their lives," she said.

Travis Twiggs, who enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1993 and held the combat action ribbon, wrote a lengthy article in the January issue of the Marine Corps Gazette detailing his efforts to deal with post-traumatic stress disorder.

The symptoms disappeared yet again when he returned to Iraq for his fourth tour, he wrote, but worsened when he came home again.

"All of my symptoms were back, and now I was in the process of destroying my family," he wrote. "My only regrets are how I let my command down after they had put so much trust in me and how I let my family down by pushing them away."

Twiggs urged others suffering from similar problems to seek assistance.

Most recently, Twiggs was assigned to the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory at Quantico, Va.

A spokesman at Quantico, 1st Lt. Brian Donnelly, said the corps is committed to providing full medical, psychological and social support to anyone with a combat-related injury, including PTSD, through organizations such as the Wounded Warrior Regiment and local deployment health clinics.

"Our leaders are trained to be alert for signs of PTSD in their Marines and to provide a supportive climate in which Marines can feel comfortable seeking help." Travis Twiggs had been absent without leave since May 5.

On Wednesday, Twiggs and his brother led law enforcement agents on a chase across more than 80 miles of Interstate 8 after speeding away from a Border Patrol checkpoint in southwestern Arizona.

They triggered the chase by failing to pull into a secondary inspection area when their behavior aroused agents' suspicions, Border Patrol spokesman Michael Bernacke said.

After officers with the Tohono O'odham Police Department placed spike strips on the interstate, the car continued for about a mile.

Law enforcement officers and Border Patrol agents heard two shots from the disabled car and later found both men slumped forward and dead in a vehicle they had carjacked Monday night within Grand Canyon National Park.

They are believed to have crashed their car at the canyon's edge and then walked away from the scene, witnesses said, hours before the carjacking at gunpoint.

Park spokeswoman Shannan Marcak said that investigators believe that, based on how the car was hung up on a tree, the men may had tried to drive off the road and into the canyon.

• May 16, 2008

  9:32 a.m.

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  TW1ZT3D writes:

  another life gone, another soul lost. god bless your family.

• May 16, 2008

  9:39 a.m.

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  vudumom writes:

  PTSD is the most debilitating mental impairment and the hardest to treat. The medical field do not know what they are doing and are harming soldiers coming back from war by putting them on one drug after the other and often prescribing a cocktail of drugs that have severe side effects. I have read many articles on PTSD and there isn't a cure but is often handled or mishandled with lethal drugs. I feel for these families who have loved ones coming home with PTSD. The families need to do some research and be an advocate for their loved ones. The drugs that the Dr.'s prescribe for there loved ones are often more lethal and the cause of erratic and suicidal behavior. Unfortunately the VA and our government are trying to hide the problem and the soldiers are supposed to be tough and "snap out of it" your a soldier after all ,right? This reasoning is making the problem worse. People do not like to talk about or admit that they suffer from a mental health issue. It still carries a stigma and is especially hard on the returning soldiers and their families because of the " big boys don't cry " attitude in this country and in the military.
  We owe every resource and treatment available to our soldiers coming home suffering from mental health problems. Remove the stigma and stop sweeping this problem under the rug and start helping them.

• May 16, 2008

  9:41 a.m.

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  Firefox writes:

  We have asked these men to stay longer in combat and return more times than ever in our history and yes this includes WWII. Staff SGT I am sorry I never had the chance to speak to you maybe we could have talked about our combat experiences, maybe we could have helped each other.

  God Bless,
  Semper Fi

• May 16, 2008

  9:49 a.m.

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  concernedcowoman writes:

  Ok, another thing you can place on President Bush's head, for sure. 4 tours in Iraq? And I agree with the statement above. My ex-husband, a month after 9-11, shot himself, He too was in the Army. Even when I was married to him, he showed signs of a mental problem. He cut on his arms, had cigarettes burns on his chest. Even had his dog tag info tattooed on his chest in case something happened to him. But did he get help? No, he was written up. And when he married again after our divorce, it must have gotten worse. When she left him (with their son),he killed himself. And me, myself, also a veteran with PTSD, (and now disabled) the therapy I get really does not get to the problem. Am not the suicidal type though, have my son to think of. I am glad for that.

• May 16, 2008

  9:54 a.m.

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  emlvsc writes:

  I understand fully when they talk about the stress about being over In Iraq. I am curently over here as a contractor and some times the stress is more then i can handle but i make do and go one to another day.

• May 16, 2008

  10:01 a.m.

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  tm3869 writes:

  God Bless you all........

• May 16, 2008

  10:03 a.m.

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  MarineGrunt writes:

  Semper Fi SSgt. Thank you for your Service to Country and Corps.
  4 tours is more then we could have asked from you and you were willing. Rest Easy, Brother. You have earned it.

  (BTW... PLEASE your your BS political Anti Bush idiot comments out of this!!! If you have the mental capacity that is of course...)

• May 16, 2008

  10:05 a.m.

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  Froward69 writes:

  And yet Bushco ordered the VA to downgrade PTSD patents. so they can be returned to Iraq, AGAIN.

  walking wounded, further casualties from this stupid war in Iraq.
  my heart breaks at the lives damaged by rethuglicans intent on war for profit.
  mcSame and bushco care NOTHING for returning vets.

• May 16, 2008

  10:07 a.m.

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  indisbelief writes:

  Vudumom, your comment is spot on.

• May 16, 2008

  10:10 a.m.

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  MattGuyver_007 writes:

  "She said her husband began changing after his second tour of duty in Iraq. His condition worsened after he returned from his third stint there, when he lost two very good friends from his platoon."

  Why was this soldier sent back time and again? Someone in charge of his deployment should have noticed his behavior and reassigned him to another duty while still allowing him to serve. He undoubtedly died for his country.

• May 16, 2008

  10:20 a.m.

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  Scott writes:

  Rest easy brother. My heartfelt condolences to all who have been effected by this.

  Scott

• May 16, 2008

  10:28 a.m.

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  Scott writes:

  vudumom,
  Your comments are spot on. One thing to add is that members of the military that want to seek out mental help are scared that they will then be passed over for promotion or cashiered from the service. These fears are well founded regardless of the government/military mouthpieces saying otherwise. Some of these servicemen want help, but even more they want to stay in the service as a career. One trip to the pshrink can torpedo their career.
  Scott

• May 16, 2008

  10:47 a.m.

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  rmnreader writes:

  So sad. Why aren't we helping these people?!

  Does anyone know why it seems ptsd is so much more prominent in this war than it was in WWII or Vietnam? My grandfather served in WWII & was extremely proud of his time although he didn't talk about it much he did not appear to be troubled and from what I hear from family he was in it.

• May 16, 2008

  11:17 a.m.

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  medina88 writes:

  concernedcowoman-what a strong woman you are. Good for you! God bless you. Your son is very lucky to have you.

  I just dont understand how Bush either has No heart or just don't care. I voted for Bush and now I am extreamly sorry that I did. To many lives have been lost. these soldiers are all so very young. They haven't even had the chance to live. They are not fighting for this country, they are fighting for Bush's selfishness; gas prices are going up so fast, housing is a mess and the rich just keep getting richer. They all need to come home. Vote Democrate!!

• May 16, 2008

  11:23 a.m.

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  TW1ZT3D writes:

  funny you say that medina88, i have a shirt that always gets a smirk or two, it reads "see what happens when you dont vote!". love it. directly targeted at bush.

• May 16, 2008

  11:30 a.m.

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  Retread writes:

  It was called "Shell Shock" in WW-2 and ignored in many cases, it was thought a crutch for mental illness. In Nam it started to come out in most combat vets, we saw much of it in suicides, vets in and out of mental institutions. FOUR tours in Iraq under combat conditions will bring out the best in any man, our military has been extended to the breaking point by our present administration. Time to extend mental health facilitys to treat these wounded soldiers, just because PTSD is not visible to the naked eye does not mean it is not a handicap.

  I suffered for twenty years, I finally found relief through writing about my experience. For every word I put on paper, the horror was left there. Everything after war is just a little thing, people do not understand, and everything/everybody around you is so shallow. If any Vet is willing to talk about their experience, listen, learn, and find them help.

• May 16, 2008

  11:40 a.m.

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  fishtanksamurai writes:

  God Bless and Semper Fi, SSgt. Your brother Marines feel your pain more than you would ever know.

• May 16, 2008

  12:09 p.m.

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  jjonseof writes:

  My condolences to the family and friends of this soldier. And for that matter all that have served proudly over in Iraq or Afganistan I pray that you are able to work through your PTSD without having to kill yourself to do it.

  Bush is the worst president in the history of our country. By his preverse thinking that he is ridding the world of terrorism, he in actuality is creating thousands if not millions of enemies to the United States. The sleeper cells are already over here waiting till we relax our guard - well that is if they aren't already sitting in Guantanamo Bay detention.

  Enough is enough......McCain says he can WIN the war by 2013. What exactly does WIN mean? These waring religious factions are all of a sudden going to say hey its cool we can all just get along now after all this bloodshed. BS...they have been fighting for centuries and I say leave to let them kill each other and get our troops out of there.

  Yes, vote Democrat to stop this nonsense. I don't like either Clinton or Obama, but if it means that stories like this one will cease to be news then it is the only way things will change.

• May 16, 2008

  12:37 p.m.

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  PajamaPulitzer writes:

  Bushco ordered funding cuts at Froward's public school to ensure he would grow up to be an imbecile who would be unable to back up any of his wild accusations, many of which border on paranoia.

• May 16, 2008

  12:38 p.m.

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  DahmersCookbook writes:

  vudomom, I do agree with you, but you are starting to remind me of that lady from Stephen King's "Mist".

• May 16, 2008

  12:39 p.m.

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  MarineGrunt writes:

  Thank you Retread, for your Service and Welcome Home, Brother!!!

  Very well said, sir!!

• May 16, 2008

  1:09 p.m.

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  LindaO writes:

  I'm a Marine Mom. My son just returned from his first tour in Iraq. I also run a small military support non-profit, Homefront Heroes. From that work, my perspective has become one of being a "mom" to all our deployed troops. These brave men and women, and their steadfast families, should be embraced by all Americans with love and support and understanding. It is from this perspective also, that I worked to launch Operation Restoration, a mental health outreach to military/veterans and their families through the non-profit Lost and Found Inc. LnF has, for over 30 years, been offering intervention, rehabilitation, and restoration for at-risk children, youth, adults and families. This is a tragic loss of life, but we offer therapeutic resources for returned troops, veterans and all family members who are impacted by the trauma of war -- today, and in years past. Visit our website, www.lostandfoundinc.org to learn more. We provide these services with the love of God in a timely, personalized, confidential fashion.

• May 16, 2008

  1:31 p.m.

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  chuckyg writes:

  Semper Fi Devil Dog:
  Go Easy with our Brothers. Thanks for your service and great Patriotism. Our country will alway be greatfull and free because of great Marines like you.
  Thanks MarineGrunt and Retread for for your service and standing up for SSgt. Twiggs
  God Bless you / God Bless the Marine Corps

  You Bush bashers have no clue of what Eagle Globe and Anchor
  Stand for and never will. Enjoy the Freedoms our Military gives you.

• May 16, 2008

  2:08 p.m.

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  MarineGrunt writes:

  LindaQ
  M.O.M. is damn near as tough as being Infantry in my Corps. Thank you for raising a son willing to put the Countries needs before his own! And pass along a hearty Semper Fi to your Marine, please!

  And keep up the good work! It is VERY tough being away from you family for over a year. But org's like your make it a lot better. Knowing folks back home is a huge bust in moral! Thanks, mom!

• May 16, 2008

  2:22 p.m.

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  SilenceDoGood writes:

  Read more about the Travis Twiggs backstory with PTSD here. There are multiple blog entries about it, but this one starts the process: http://www.healingcombattrauma.com/20...

• May 16, 2008

  3:01 p.m.

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  misha writes:

  If you are suffering from PTSD... look in to EMDR therapy and stick with it!

• May 16, 2008

  4:14 p.m.

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  newshound writes:

  The easiest and most ignorant thing to do is blame Bush. Our government has been sending troops to war for over 200 years. These troops made a commitment to serve our country and defend our freedoms. They volunteered to fight for us and while it is a shame that some get PTSD, it is absurd to vilify the administration for what the troops encounter. War has no description, it is what you call it. While mean and disgusting, sometimes it is necessary. It is so easy to complain and place blame from your couch, when instead you could be out there doing something about it. God Bless our troops

• May 16, 2008

  6:02 p.m.

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  The_Punnisher writes:

  I lost an Uncle to 'Nam PSTD and am losing a bro to PTSD...

  The military wouldn't own up in both cases.

  I don't blame the grunts, just the REFMS including the TOP REMF himself...Mission accomplished my @$$....

• May 16, 2008

  6:35 p.m.

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  happymike44 writes:

  To Linda o
  Thank You for the good you do.The gift you give is more then the packages you send.It is a way of saying hey you are not forgotten.Many of these young men and woman are facng the toughest times in their lives.The gift you give is more then you will ever know.Give love Get love I pray your family will never know the sorrow of the war first hand.My brother was drafted for vietnam,we were lucky he was picked for supply duty in the states.We prayed everyday he would not get reassined to vietnam.We know what you are going through right now.One again God Bless and Protect your family from harm.

• May 16, 2008

  10:35 p.m.

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  infantryveteransrk writes:

  God Bless you SSGT Twiggs, my heart and spirit go out to you and your family during this time, i just wish that the Government would do more for those that are affected with PTSD such as Veterans like myself, and whats even more depressing is the fact that we have thousands of more vets coming back with this and no one is really doing much for us. Semper Fi, Rest in Peace Brother.

• May 17, 2008

  7:17 a.m.

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  flipflop writes:

  It was an honor to serve with you! You will be missed brother. Semper Fidelis Warpig.