A terrible and tragic loss. And not the first or last victim of zealous and overwrought prosecution. This kind of overkill-prosecution is a familiar and common tactic used to oppress and silence activists.
Though not an activist, he was another hacker prosecuted by the same team as Swartz, Jonathan James. He also committed suicide, at the age of 24. When he was 17 he spent six months in a federal corrections facility for hacking. Later, in 2007, he was connected to the TJX hack. He denied involvement but was friendly with some of the hackers who were involved and his past gave him little credibility. From his suicide note:
"The feds of course would see me as much more appealing target than Chris - if they could tie me to this case I'd be like Mitnick times 10 to them. I honestly, honestly had nothing to do with TJX. Unfortunately I don't picture the feds caring all too much. Read Agent Steal's guide to getting busted. The feds play dirty. Chris called me the other day. He was in jail and they let him out. That can only mean that he too is trying to pin this on me. So despite the fact that he and Albert are the most destructive, dangerous hackers the feds ever caught, they'll let them off easy because I'm a juicier target that would please the public more than two random fucks. C'est la vie.
I have no faith in the ‘justice’ system. Perhaps my actions today, and this letter, will send a stronger message to the public. Either way, I have lost control over this situation, and this is my only way to regain control. Remember, it's not whether you win or lose, it's whether I win or lose, and sitting in jail for 20, 10, or even 5 years for a crime I didn't commit is not me winning. I die free."