Me, too.
Wmcmanus, that's really tough. So sorry about your friend.
I deal with mood disorders every day at work. But I still hear about so and so down the street who is depressed, and didn't know. I can't read minds, and if someone chooses to hide something, it's pretty tough to know. We in the field often talk about how difficult it is to even predict which of our patients we are seeing who might suicide. Most of us have had a suicide of a patient that really surprised us. More often you can have a feel for it, certain patients just really worry you. But not always. Some you worry, but you still can't stop them. Sometimes, people feel at peace because they've finally made a decision to do it. It's just really really tough.
Oh, and I've not heard of helium, either. That's pretty weird.
Again, sorry ... I hope you can remember him for all the great
qualities you mentioned!