Crime scenes spanned 20 miles of Coffee and Geneva Counties Tuesday after Michael McLendon's deadly shooting spree Tuesday.

He fired 125 rounds that left 11 people, including himself, dead.

The investigation continues and Thursday officials with the Alabama Department of Public Safety held what will most likely be their final news briefing on the case.

No exact motive was identified but new information can help explain McLendon's rampage.

"McLendon made comments that he was depressed and dissatisfied with his current position in life," said Major Jerry Connor, Chief of the Alabama Bureau of Investigation. "His dream was to become a Marine and then a police officer. Both dreams were unfulfilled."

McLendon was discharged in 1999 from the U.S. Marine Corps for fraudulent enlistment.

Thursday investigators say they recovered a hand delivered letter found in a mailbox that was written by McLendon. It described how he killed his mother and his intention to kill himself.

The letter reportedly detailed his feeling of "hopelessness," but authorities say it did not name anyone else besides his mother.

Officials say those who spoke with the shooter never thought he was capable of these deadly actions.

"The individual we interviewed stated that he never felt like his depression was so great that it would result in this," said Lt. Barry Tucker with ABI. He never felt he was to that point."

The newly discovered letter also describes the "ill feelings" McLendon had for family members stemming from an ongoing dispute. An official close to the investigation says the dispute revolved around a bible that was once in the possession of McLendon's grandmother. Apparently there was a disagreement about who should have the family heirloom.

Investigators said they don't want to speculate, but acknowledge the family problems and the gunman's "depressed" state likely contributed to his actions in Tuesday's rampage.

Major Conner says the investigation began and died with McLendon and there are no lingering threats to the community.

"These communities need a chance to grieve and mourn, but they also need a chance to move past these events," said Conner. "That is what all our investigations have been and remain focused on."

Here are some bullet points relayed in a joint news statement from the Alabama Dept. of Public Safety and Geneva County District Attorney Kirke Adams.

• In 1999, Michael Kenneth McLendon enlisted in the USMC and was discharged one month later for fraudulent enlistment.

• In 2003, McLendon entered the Montgomery Police Academy and was released one month later.

• In 2003, McLendon resigned from employment at Reliable Products of Geneva, Alabama.

• On Wednesday, March 4, 2009, McLendon resigned from employment at Kelley’s Foods in Elba, Alabama.

• McLendon was a self-proclaimed survivalist and was known to purchase large amounts of ammunition. He owned several different types of firearms, including two assault rifles.

• McLendon made a large purchase of ammunition and magazines the day before the homicides.

• McLendon was known to train with the weapons he used in the homicides.

• McLendon made statements of being depressed and dissatisfied with his present position in life. His dream was to become a Marine and later a police officer. Both dreams were unfulfilled.

• McLendon owned body armor, but was not wearing it during these events.

• McLendon had no known criminal history.

• McLendon left a letter that is in the possession of investigators, describing how he killed his mother and his intentions of taking his own life. The letter describes how McLendon harbored ill feelings toward family members due to a family dispute.

• McLendon fired a known 125 rounds at his victims, killing Corrine Gracy Myers, Andrea D. Myers, Lisa White McLendon, James Alford White, Tracy Michelle Wise, Dean James Wise, Virginia E. White, James Irvin Starling, Sonja Smith, and Bruce Wilson Malloy, and injuring six more innocent victims, including Chief Frankie Lindsey and Trooper Mike Gillis, who despite their injuries continued valiantly in pursuit of McLendon in an effort to protect the public.