Orlando gunman was mentally unstable and abusive, ex-wife says

Omar Mateen, who murdered at least 50 people in a gay nightclub in Orlando, was mentally unstable and abusive, his ex-wife has said.

Sitora Yusufiy said she was "devastated, shocked, started shaking and crying" when she heard that her former husband was responsible for the atrocity.

She said Mateen started abusing her just months into their marriage and would "get mad out of nowhere".

“He started abusing me physically, very often, and not allowing me to speak to my family, and keeping me hostage from them."

She said her family had to "rescue her" from her violent husband and had to physically pull her out of his arms.

She also said:

• Mateen "was mentally unstable and mentally ill"

• he frequently used steroids

• the 29-year-old was religious but not radical

• he wanted to become a police officer and applied to a police academy

• she had not had any contact with her ex-husband for the last seven years