Travis King’s uncle on US soldier’s ‘disturbed’ state over cousin’s death before he fled into North Korea
The uncle of US soldier Travis King, 23, who wilfully bolted across the demilitarized zone on July 18 without authorization from the US military, gave his thoughts about why his nephew had done it the day after the incident.
Carl Gates, the brother of King's mother, told the Daily Beast his nephew had been struggling in the run-up to his escape.
The solider was reportedly deeply upset by the death of Gates' 7-year-old son King'Nazir earlier this year.
"His mom came down on a few occasions, and she then talked to him and let him know what was going on with my son," Gates said.
"It seemed like he was breaking down. It affected Travis a lot."
King'Nazir died from a rare genetic disorder in February.
Gates, who described himself as a "father figure" to the soldier, said he began to act "reckless" and "crazy" once he found out that King'Nazir was about to die.
"I know it was related to what he did," Gates said.
"(He was) crying like a baby, and now you’re in the service and you can’t do nothing about it."
