[jinx]

Originally Posted by Cloud

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/01/27/...ead/index.html
Do these guys honestly believe they are preventing their families from suffering? Or is it more of a . . . if I can't be happy and prosperous, nobody will! kind of thing.

For some it's a suicide by proxy situation - killing their family is killing a part of themself. They believe they are sparing their families the suffering and humiliation that might come from a lost job or wiped out savings. Obviously it's a pride thing, and they are really just sparing themselves the humiliation of letting their families down - especially when they don't follow thru and off themselves as well.