A top forensic psychiatrist is raising questions about the unusual language used by Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Robinson’s final text exchange with his partner included words and phrasing that experts say are far from typical for someone his age.
Dr. Carole Lieberman, a forensic psychiatrist with more than two decades of experience, told the Daily Mail that Robinson’s texts appeared “antiquated” and “stilted.” She pointed to his repeated use of the phrase “my love,” saying, “That isn’t normal phrasing for 22-year-olds. It seems more antiquated than that.”
According to court records revealed Tuesday, Robinson’s messages to his transgender partner Lance Twigg included a chilling confession. Prosecutors said Robinson admitted to shooting Kirk because he had “enough of his hatred,” and described retrieving a rifle and evading police after the attack.
Texts Spark Conspiracy Theories
The texts quickly went viral and fueled online speculation that the exchange was fabricated. Conservative commentators, including Matt Walsh of the Daily Wire, suggested the conversation might have been staged as an alibi. Social media users noted the careful punctuation and full sentences, which they said were uncommon for young adults texting under stress.
But Dr. Lieberman dismissed those theories. “I don’t think it would be written by AI. I don’t see editing or fabricated language,” she said. “It was too short and too personal for that.” She added that such language might instead reflect mental health challenges or neurodivergence, noting that a first psychotic break often occurs in late teens to mid-twenties.
Lieberman explained that Robinson’s background supports the possibility of a psychological crisis. He was an honors student who earned a college scholarship but dropped out of Utah State University after one semester in 2021. “People sometimes have their first psychotic break during their first year of college,” she said. “It could influence his language as well.”
The psychiatrist also suggested that neurodivergence, such as autism, can produce “stilted language” because individuals may have fewer casual social interactions and less practice with informal speech.
Read the text messages in full below (Tyler Robinson’s texts are in blue):
Possible Mental Health Factors
Details of the Final Exchange
Prosecutors presented the texts as key evidence. In the messages, Robinson told Twigg to “drop what you are doing, look under my keyboard,” where he left a note confessing to the shooting. Twigg replied in shock, asking if he was joking. Robinson responded, “I am still ok my love, but am stuck in Orem for a little while longer yet. Shouldn’t be long until I can come home, but I gotta grab my rifle still.”
He later admitted, “I am, I’m sorry,” when asked if he carried out the attack. Robinson also described his plan to recover his weapon without leaving evidence and said he acted because he “had enough of hatred.”
Investigators continue to analyze the messages as part of the case. Dr. Lieberman emphasized that while the texts may appear unusual, they likely reflect Robinson’s state of mind rather than fabrication.
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