INSIDE EDITION is learning more about the family of Elliot Rodger who went on the killing rampage at UC Santa Barbara.
To all appearances, Elliot Rodger had everything a young man could dream of. But appearances can be deceiving.
He was with his dad and stepmom on the red carpet at the premiere of The Hunger Games two years ago. His father, Peter, was assistant director on the hit film.
His stepmom, Soumaya, is well known in her native France, where she appears on a reality show about real housewives.
Psychologist Jeff Gardere told INSIDE EDITION, "It's really ironic that Elliot Rodger had a life of privilege, and came from a family of money and fame and therefore was exposed to pretty girls and, in his mind, all the finer things in life. But at the same time that's what tortured him, too, because he had no social skills."
One photo speaks volumes of Peter Rodger embracing his young son, Jazz, while Elliot distances himself from them.
In his terrifying manifesto, Elliot wrote of his intention to kill his brother, writing: "He will become a popular kid who gets all the girls. Girls will love him. He will become one of my enemies...I will not allow the boy to surpass me at everything, to live the life I've always wanted."
At a young age, Elliot Rodger was diagnosed with Asperberger's Syndrome, a form of Autism, the same condition that afflicted Adam Lanza, the youth behind the Newtown massacre.
Gardere said, "Traditionally, we've never seen Asperger's, or rarely seen Asperger's as a cause of violence. People with Asperger's are often very afraid of being hurt by people, not of hurting people. I think what we saw more with Elliot Rodger was this very severe personality disorder."
In the wake of the tragedy, the killer's dad and stepmom comfort each other.
Five years ago, Peter Rodger made a documentary called Oh My God, featuring Hugh Jackman and Ringo Starr. He asked people around the world what God meant to them, and came to this conclusion, saying, "If you look at the basis of all religions, they say the same thing, be kind to your neighbor, treat people how you'd like to treat yourself."
Haunting words in the wake of an unspeakable tragedy.
