I saw the newscast of the suicide, and I always thought it was fake... that was when I was young. To much Hollywood and fake gore to recognize the real thing.

Now that I'm older and witness to tragedy I know better. I read the Wikipedia however it doesn't give me enough information on Mr. Dwyer, if any one knows a good place post a link.

There is a book by Inazo Nitobe about Bushido, in which he writes (Paraphrase): Sepuku was used only in times of extreme need and only one person could decide if it was necessary, the one performing it. It was often used to dissuade people from doing something or not changing their ways. One example of this is seen in Samurai Champloo (Anime) during the Yakuza episode. The older gentleman takes his own life to atone for the actions of his son, to prove to his son that he needs to change his way.