HONOLULU -- The shooter in a murder-suicide that left three people dead has a criminal past, spending time in jail.

Police said Clayborne Conley, 43, apparently broke into the home rented by Kristine Cass, 46, and her 13-year-old daughter then shot the two and their dog, then killed himself early Friday.

Cass' friends said they did not hear about Conley's jail time, but instead about the challenging times he spent fighting in the National Guard.

"He had been talking a couple of times of how he was having a rough time of it in Iraq and Afghanistan, and after while, he didn't show up with her and she said, 'Well he's kind of having trouble,'" said Billy Sage, the victim's friend.

Months ago, according to friends, Cass and Conley got along well, but things changed recently.

"She was getting worried about him and was thinking about getting a TRO," Sage said.

Cass worked several jobs, including at Spotlight Hawaii Publishing but her love, according to friends and neighbors, was her daughter.

"The two of them were like glue, not just mother daughter, they were like buddies," said Scott May, victim's friend.

Thirteen-year-old Saundra Cass not only lit up her mother's life, but also lit up the stage during Sacred Heart's production of the Sound of Music.

"She loved being on stage. It brought joy to her and brought joy to her mother. I could see it in both of them," May said.

Sacred Hearts Academy principal Betty White said Saundra not only shined on stage but also in the classroom with good grades as she made a positive impression on students and teachers at the school.

"She was just a beautiful, beautiful person, kind, generous, helpful. All of her teachers loved her," May said.

Conley Had Mental Health Issues

KITV4 has learned Conley had a history of mental illness that forced his hospitalization in 2007.

The 43-year-old was a former Hawaii Army national guardsman with the 29th Infantry Brigade. His ex-wife, who now lives on the mainland, told KITV 4 News he was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.

He was discharged more than three years ago. At about the same time, he began to run into trouble with the law. Police said he had 10 prior arrests and four convictions for terroristic threatening, assault and criminal property damage, as well as a restraining order violation from an incident in early 2007.

Conley was sentenced to one year behind bars and had to pay $3,200 restitution.

Court records show there were also questions about his mental fitness to stand trial in those cases.