Could have been running network cable through his attic. You’d think a detail like that would make it into the article though. Strange case.
That was my first thought, but as with much ‘news’ these days, we will likely never know.
That was my first thought too. I wouldn't leap to the conclusion that some mental issue was involved. He may have just been up there doing a job and had an untimely heart attack.
I'm in an old row house with a flat sloping roof. One can stand erect in the very front of the attic ("front" as per street orientation). One can move around with a little hunching in the front third. The middle third is hands and knees crawl space. For the rear third I'd call in a contractor with a couple of young skinny guys who can lie on their stomachs and barely squeeze through. You do what you gotta do for wires and air conditioning ducts.
I'll bet this guy was doing some wiring or running cable.
Who uses network cabling anymore - except for Starlink, etc.