To be certain, it is; it's a textbook tactic used by abusers who themselves suffer from some neurosis. Abusers sometimes do, after threatening it so much, anneal themselves with the constant threats and their perceived ineffectiveness, actually follow through as a final, "I'll show them!"

Either way, it is a loss of life. I do feel better knowing that his safety (or, at the very least, status as a living, breathing human being) is confirmed. I also think he needs help, real professional help, to overcome whatever is pushing him in this apparent downward spiral.

Of course, he could just be some asshole trying to get airtime or to socially engineer access to Satoshi's funds. Maybe Satoshi had a psychotic break, and he (as Satoshi) is the result of it? Point is that we have only the evidence that has been shared (by him, the media, former colleagues) in a very haphazard way. It's easy to get wrapped up in theories and plot twists when there's a level of anonymity between us and the subject of our conspiracies. We simply do not know. Maybe we won't ever know.

Hopefully the next step for him begins a path to peace, rehabilitation, restitution, acceptance or any combination thereof.