HOT SPRINGS, Va. — As police studied evidence into what led to the attack on state Sen. Creigh Deeds, a Virginia health official said his office opened an investigation into why the legislator’s son was reportedly released from emergency custody the day before he stabbed his father and killed himself.

The son, Gus Deeds, was a talented musician known for his stories and his smarts and as someone who could carry on conversations on wide range of topics. But his mental health apparently came into question the day before the Tuesday’s attack at the family’s farm in western Virginia. His father was in good condition at a hospital.

Media outlets reported an emergency custody order was issued for him, but they have not said why. He was taken to the Rockbridge Area Community Services center, which treats mental illness and substance abuse, but he was released because they couldn’t find a psychiatric bed for him. Several hospitals told news media after the stabbing they had space.

G. Douglas Bevelaqua, the director of the inspector general program for behavioral health in Virginia, said his office has opened an investigation because of the conflicting reports. He would not say whether the investigation was based solely on media reports or on information obtained by his office.

“Suffice it to say, we had sufficient information to warrant opening an investigation,” Bevelaqua said.

The state police said the local sheriff’s office responded to a non-emergency call at the senator’s home Monday, but they did not indicate why.