The media is sensationalist, but many if not most people are fascinated by the dark side of life and death, and I don't think that will ever change.  It is not just cultural, it is in our nature. We wonder what would drive a person to do something like this.  Maybe we are comforted that no matter how screwed up our lives are, someone evidently had it way worse than we do.  I do feel for the family... my mom committed suicide, losing a loved one in that way is tough enough even without being put into a fishbowl by the media.  Can't imagine how awful that would be.  I wish this poor man's family strength through tough times ahead.