Al Lester Project

Also known as the "Axe Man". He was a dangerous individual who prowled the Arklay Forest near the disused hospital in the region. The real identity of the Axe Man was later revealed to be former hospital doctor, Al Lester, who had been driven into insanity by the fate of his wife, Dorothy Lester - who had been assimilated by a mutated plant growing within the hospital grounds. In light of his appearance, the Axe Man had been infected with the T-virus (or similar strain) and had acquired superhuman strength. He was a unique case in that he retained his human intelligence, and was able to fool others into thinking that he was still human.

Lester was almost certainly infected by the same plant growing in the hospital, who he believed was the reincarnated form of his dead wife. This infection was responsible for his inhuman abilities. When hunting for food for his "wife", Lester concealed his identity with a black hood and adopted the new persona of the "Axe Man".