But he fell ill with Hepatitis A, they say.

WSJ: French Killer Mohamed Merah's Path to Jihadist Rampage

My father has always told me to get somewhere in life, but when he fell ill there was nobody else pushing me.

BBC: Young from jobless families 'expect future on dole'

The couple separated in the 1980s, but his estranged wife was seen with him in recent months after he fell ill.

CNN: July 19, 2012 -- Updated 1838 GMT (0238 HKT)