PHILLIP Adams suffered from CTE before allegedly going on a gun rampage that killed seven, a coroner has said.

Defensive back Adams, who previously played for the 49ers, shot himself after gunning down Dr Robert Lesslie, his wife, their two young grandkids and two workers who were at the property.

The York County coroner’s office said the 70-year-old doctor, and his wife, Barbara Lesslie, 69, were pronounced dead at the scene along with grandchildren Adah Lesslie, 9, and Noah Lesslie, 5.

Fifth and sixth victims, James Lewis, 38, and Robert Shook, 38, also died after being shot. They were said to have been working at the home when the attack took place.

On Tuesday, it was announced that Adams suffered from stage two CTE that was "unusually" severe in both frontal lobes.

Dr Ann McKee said that Adams' CTE was similar to that of Aaron Hernandez's – a former tight end who was convicted for the murder of Odin Lloyd.

The doctor went on to say that she does not believe Adams "snapped" and explained the issues that the football player had.

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"He was getting increasingly paranoid, he was having increasing difficulty with his memories and he was very likely having more and more compulsive behaviours," McKee said.

"He lived largely by himself, it may not have been recognized, but I doubt this was entirely out of the blue."

Adams also complained of excruciating pain and had difficulty sleeping, according to the coroner.

During his time in the NFL, Adams suffered at least two concussions. This led forensics to see if he suffered from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy.

TURNED GUN ON HIMSELF

The York County Sheriff's Office confirmed that Adams killed himself in a bedroom in his parents' home following the massacre.

Police said that he used a .45 caliber weapon and was found with a single gunshot wound to the head. During the attack, a 9mm gun was also used.

911 operators said they received a call from someone "screaming that he had been shot."

A second call, from a witness who was mowing grass, was released where the man told dispatchers "I think there's been a bad shooting."

The athlete was wearing a hoodie and camouflage pants at the time of the incident when he forced entry into the doctor's home, cops said.

His dad, Alonzo Adams, told WCNC "he's a good kid, I think the football messed him up."

"I don't think he ever did anybody any harm," he added, before saying that the doctor used to treat him "a long time ago."

Following the alleged incident, it was revealed that Adams had a rap sheet which included charges for carrying a concealed gun and assault.

Adams, 33, played in 78 NFL games over five seasons for six teams and suffered concussions during his time in the league.

Rarely a starter, Adams also was with New England, Seattle, Oakland and the New York Jets, finishing his career with the Atlanta Falcons in 2015.

As a rookie late in the 2010 season, Adams suffered a severe ankle injury that required surgery that included several screws being inserted into the leg.

He never played for the 49ers again, getting released just before the 2011 season began and signing with New England.

He moved next to the Raiders, where he had two concussions in a three-game period in 2012.

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