(December 5, 2006)—Jake Taylor, 24, who shot Sam Houston State University cheerleader Rachel Pendray to death Sunday in a bedroom of the apartment she shared with three sorority sisters, was manic-depressive and had tried suicide before, his mother says.

Huntsville police believe Taylor shot Pendray and then turned his gun on himself Sunday, while Pendray’s horrified roommates listened from another room.

Taylor's mother says she can't understand why he would do something like this.

Authorities say the pair met at Spring Woods High School, dated briefly, and remained friends after graduation.

Pendray’s roommates told police Pendray had tried to break up with Taylor, but said he continued to pursue her evidently to the point of obsession.

The roommates say Pendray admitted Taylor to their apartment late last night, and Pendray and Taylor went into another room together.

Then, the women heard four or five gunshots, and then found the two dead.

The four women were members of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority at Sam Houston.

A vigil is scheduled Wednesday night on campus.

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