Acquaintances of Colton Prescott, the Mississippi man police say shot and killed his two parents Sunday, say his use of drugs and the tragic death of his 3-year-old son in 2016 put his life on a dark path.

Prescott’s son was killed in an ATV accident, sources familiar with the family said. But some family members say Prescott’s use of illicit drugs started the downward spiral before his son’s tragic death.

Prescott, 34, was charged with killing his parents, George and Cathy Prescott, Sunday afternoon at their Natchez residence.

Police believe Colton Prescott had come to his parents house seeking to obtain his 9-month-old daughter, when an argument over the matter ensued investigators say he turned to violence and shot both his parents to death.

Law enforcement sources who were not authorized to speak publicly about the case have indicated that Colton Prescott was suspected of being a user of illicit drugs that may have also been a factor in his alleged involvement in his parents’ murder.

For a brief period of time on Sunday, police were searching for Colton Prescott and the baby that he took with him. He was later found in south Adams County and arrested without incident. The baby was found unharmed. Police took the baby to her mother and took Colton Prescott to jail.

He was held Monday in the Adams County Jail without bond.