The ensuing investigation by detectives sought to determine if there was anyone who conspired with, or assisted the suspect the planning phase before May 23, 2014. To accomplish this, search warrants were written for the suspect’s cell phone, email accounts, YouTube, social media profiles and Internet blogs on which he participated.124 Detectives also reviewed numerous internet postings made by the suspect where he wrote about his frustration in not being able to meet women. (Santa Barbara 2015, s. 42, alaotsikko: "Investigation to Determine Accessories/Co-conspirators")

The suspect was actively involved in communicating with others via the Internet. The suspect mostly ranted about his frustrations with women. He often wrote about his confusion as to why women weren’t attracted to him. These rants caused people to respond with mixed emotions; some responded with negative, angry comments, while others offered to help the suspect by providing him with advice on how to meet women. Other subjects voiced similar complaints and frustrations as the suspect. (Santa Barbara 2015, s. 42, alaotsikko: "Investigation to Determine Accessories/Co-conspirators")

Upon reviewing the suspect’s internet communications, there is no evidence that indicates anyone else conspired with and/or aided the suspect in committing the murders and attempted murders on May 23, 2014. (Santa Barbara 2015, s. 42, alaotsikko: "Investigation to Determine Accessories/Co-conspirators")

Two handwritten journals were recovered from the suspect’s bedroom. The first journal had entries dated April 5, 2010 to March 16, 2011. The second journal had entries dated March 31, 2011 to May 23, 2014. Several journal entries paralleled the suspect’s manifesto. (Santa Barbara 2015, s. 44, alaotsikko: "Noteworth Journal Entries")

The suspect came to believe that the only way he would obtain a girlfriend and lose his virginity was if he became wealthy. To achieve this goal, the suspect played the lottery in the hopes of winning and becoming a “young multi-millionaire.” The suspect wrote the following about what his life would be like if he won the lottery: I will be able to fully indulge in everything I’m passionate about: exotic cars, luxurious mansions, expensive clothes, and of course, sex with beautiful girls. I will drive a Maserati and a Lamborghini, and when girls see me in those cars they will all want to date me. They will finally see me as the supreme man that I’m meant to be. When I purchase a huge, beautiful mansion and take girls to it, they will be in love. I just know it! (Santa Barbara 2015, s. 44, alaotsikko: "Noteworth Journal Entries")

The suspect purchased lottery tickets on several occasions. He never won and this caused him to become more agitated. After the repeated losses, the suspect learned that the Powerball lottery jackpot was in excess of 500 million dollars. This lottery wasn’t available in California at the time, so he drove to Arizona and spent “100 dollars on tickets.”129 After finding out that he didn’t win the Powerball lottery, the suspect wrote, “all my hopes, all my dreams, SHATTERED.” On April 3, 2013, the suspect wrote that he made four trips to Arizona to play the lottery. He was defeated after losing. The suspect wrote, “revenge is all I have to live for.” (Santa Barbara 2015, s. 44, alaotsikko: "Noteworth Journal Entries")

On January 15, 2014, the suspect placed his housemate, Cheng Hong, under citizen’s arrest for allegedly stealing three candles. The candles had an estimated value of $22.00. The suspect alleged that Hong entered his (the suspect’s) room without permission and stole the candles. The suspect watched Hong place the candles in a bed under a blanket. The suspect asked Hong to return the candles, but Hong refused. The suspect called 9-1-1 to report the theft of his candles. Isla Vista Foot Patrol deputies responded to 6598 Seville Road #7. Deputies spoke with Hong, who alleged that the suspect took his (Hong’s) rice bowls and moved Hong’s property around the apartment about one month previously. The suspect denied these accusations. Deputies attempted to get Hong and the suspect to come to an agreement on their issues, but Hong refused to cooperate. Deputies found the suspect’s candles on Hong’s bed. The candles were recovered and identified by the suspect as his stolen property. (Santa Barbara 2015, s. 46, alaotsikko: "Arrest of Suspect's Roommate, Cheng Hong")

When deputies asked about the videos he was said to have posted, but which the deputies had not viewed, the suspect explained he was having trouble fitting in socially in Isla Vista. The videos were merely a way of expressing himself. There was nothing during the contact with the suspect that gave deputies reason to believe he was a danger to himself or others. Such risk factors are required in order to place someone on an involuntary mental health hold, or to legally search their residence. (Santa Barbara 2015, s. 47, alaotsikko: "Check the Welfare: April 30, 2014")

The suspect was very conscious of his appearance. He maintained a healthy diet and exercised to stay in shape. The suspect favored designer-brand clothing and accessories such as high-end sunglasses. He felt this projected image of affluence would result in women being attracted to him. (Santa Barbara 2015, s. 51, alaotsikko: "Suspect's Interests")

In 5th grade, the suspect made some friends who would come over to his house. The suspect would ride skateboards and play video games with his friends. The suspect was reported as being unresponsive in class, did not want to participate and did not engage others in conversation. He would stare off into space or at objects. The suspect was eligible for special education based on the fact that he displayed behaviors similar to Asperger’s Syndrome. The suspect was reported to have hidden behind a building at recess, regularly withdrew from group conversations, displayed perfectionistic tendencies, and other obsessive-compulsive behaviors. As an example, the suspect was reported to need all items on his desk in the just the right place. (Santa Barbara 2015, s. 51, alaotsikko: "Educational Background")

The suspect’s anxiety continued to negatively impact his ability to socialize and participate in certain school activities. Most of the suspect’s interaction with school peers was online while playing video games. This appears to have pushed him into a deeper state of depression which he tried to mitigate by playing more video games, namely, World of Warcraft. (Santa Barbara 2015, s. 51, alaotsikko: "Educational Background")

During a therapy session in 2013, the suspect reported that he was bullied in high school. The bullying occurred in 9th grade when he attended an all-male “private Catholic” high school. The suspect then attended a “public school” for one week, but was also bullied at this school. The suspect wanted to be home schooled because he had been bullied. (Santa Barbara 2015, s. 51, alaotsikko: "Educational Background")

The suspect would hold his ears when he heard loud noise. He displayed some repetitive behaviors such as making noises, tapping his feet or leg, and perseverating on his responses (such as repeating the words “great” and “cool”). The suspect was believed to display characteristics of high functioning autism or Asperger’s syndrome. The suspect received mental health treatment throughout his adolescence and up until his death. (Santa Barbara 2015, s. 52, alaotsikko: "Mental Health Background")

The suspect believed menial or entry-level jobs were beneath him. Peter tried to explain the significance of an entry-level job and how it was important to start at a basic level so one could work their way up into a better position. The suspect still refused to seek out an entry-level job. (Santa Barbara 2015, s. 54, alaotsikko: "Employment Background")

The suspect’s financial history shows that his planning for this tragedy, with respect to purchasing weapons, started in December of 2012. The purchase of the Glock 34 pistol on December 4, 2012 can be considered his first overt act in furtherance in the planning of the mass murder. The suspect’s financial records also show his increased spending in firearms-related materials and shooting practice in the months leading up to May 23, 2014.171 This activity indicates the suspect was “ramping up” in the planning and rehearsing stages prior to committing the crimes on May 23, 2014. (Santa Barbara 2015, s. 54, alaotsikko: "Suspect's Finances")