"Many who commit suicide are focused on their own difficulties; sometimes they are unable to think beyond them," Hannibal noted. "Some believe, correctly or incorrectly, that the benefits to their death - for themselves or those they leave behind - outweigh such concerns.

"And there are those who will attempt the act precisely to cause guilt and grief. More often, they don't intend to succeed, but they may anyway."

He sipped his tea and gave Eleanor a wry smile. "There are probably as many reasons for suicide as there are people who attempt it."