Re: committing Suicide
If he is in the USA, I cannot for a moment believe that he has LOST money in real estate. For the past few years anyone with any property has atleast doubled their assets if not trippled. People have overnight become millionaires just investing n real estate. The new story is hard to believe. In any case if that is the truth what the hell is this friend of yours doing lying about the reasons? Silly git. Book her the hotel room yourself now 
If her only concern is that she won;t be able to take care of the house while working, maybe her husband can do that home part until he recovers from his supposed loss. Vaisay at this point I don;t believe either side of the story.