>>20386222That and he saw it as a way to symbolically cut ties with an obsession that was likely ruining his life at the time. If you tell people you're dying, it seriously disincentives you from coming back to that identity. I've never faked my death, but I have an addictive personality and a tendency to attract toxic friends, and I've burned a lot of bridges to keep myself from going back to those habits.
I genuinely respect him a lot for admitting and apologizing for it, and I'm glad it seems like he's figured things out and developed a better relationship with the things he loves. It's hard to say what the person behind that actual avatar feels, but I'd like to think he's happier now.