New Orleans attacker fell into extremism after marital and financial woes

Shamsud-Din Jabbar once worked at a major accountancy, but a chaotic family life undermined his stability

Shamsud-Din Jabbar's descent into religious extremism unfolded over years - but his deadly disdain for many of his fellow Americans' way of life had recently intensified as he faced increasing financial and familial pressures, his associates have said in the wake of the truck attack that killed 14 Near Year's Day revelers on New Orleans' famed Bourbon Street.

Jabbar - a 42-year-old former army signal corps sergeant who was shot dead by police - was described as smart and affable by his former military colleagues, who shared shock at his transformation into someone authorities now consider to be a terrorist.