I'm saddened by this, if it's true, but these individuals seemed to be living in alignment with their values and on their terms. I wish that for everyone. Not the outcome of course, but to do the former with a more accurate mental mapping of reality. In "The Parasitic Mind", Gad Saad does a good job explaining how empathy can misfire when hyperactivated or directed toward inappropriate targets, leading to detrimental societal outcomes. This post highlights that point. I believe his next book is entirely on the topic of what he calls, "Suicidal Empathy". That might even be the title.