He was homeless and broke.
I'd guess even when he could get a job, they probably garnished at least half of his take home pay. Lessee, $8 an hour, times 40 is $320. Net about $275 or so, they take half, he gets about $140 a week to live on.
A studio apartment in Seattle is about $500 a month, so that leaves about 422 a week for food, clothes and transportation. (Amazing that smug folks posting here could say there's nothing wrong with that.)
I can see why he would want to kill himself. And bravo for not doing it alone somewhere - like most of the 10,000 men a year do that kill themselves.
At least bleed all over the bastards that screwed you. Or at least ruin their lunch.
The article reported that he, "quit a high-paying job after their divorce."
I have a friend who struggled with a similar situation. He and his wife divorce a number of yrs. ago. They shared custody of the children, and he payed child support. He got himself into some trouble with drugs, but after being in and out of jail, he has moved to another state, is working a great paying job, and continues to pay his child support.
My point is that their are individuals out there who deal with lifes problems every day. They do it impecfectly, but they do it. My friend helped to bring his children into the world, and regardless where he was living he had to provide for those children.
Mr. Manley has left his children with a tragic legacy. What a way to remembered by your kids.