It's entirely possible, and should be second nature for any CEO, to draft a statement that's both legally prudent AND shows a modicum of empathy. What they shouldn't do is try to throw their own role into question until the facts are on the table.
Try this:
"Everyone at Justin.tv is deeply shocked and saddened by this news. In the upcoming days, we will conduct a thorough investigation of the events surrounding this incident, and will cooperate fully with local police and federal authorities. Once all the facts have been gathered and analyzed, we will release an additional statement. Until that time, we will refrain from further comment, except to say that our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Biggs's family and friends as they come to grips with a sudden, tragic loss."
I respect what you're trying to say here, but seriously: stop.
It's easy to be a critical asshat on the internet. How much different is your criticism from that of the forum members involved in this incident?
You can tell these guys all about how to respond when it's your business on the stump. Maybe they can't show empathy because it weakens their legal position. I just don't know.
It's natural to mourn, to be empathetic, and for some people it's natural to be assholes. Let's try to keep cool heads in this community and show support for both the family of Abraham K. Biggs, and for the startup involved. They will learn something from this. I hope we all do.
Then again, no one knows if you are shocked and saddened either since all you've posted are complaints about the CEO's response. That's the line of reasoning you are taking, isn't it?
I know the response isn't good PR, but I'm not sure why I or anyone else is supposed to be worried about what the CEO of Justin.tv thinks about the suicide. Maybe they could make it clear to their users to treat such incidents as serious where possible, but how are some kind words supposed to help the situation?
I think is that the CEO was asked for a response, and all he said was something about this being against terms of service. Nothing emotional whatsoever, which is understandable but a bit lame.
And I think we care because Justin.tv is a YCombinator site, and, more importantly, they all post here and they're good guys. (Bill in particular usually has got stuff worth saying. Maybe others and I don't realize it's them.) So people respond like they do because they know that J.tv people will read it.
Thats better. Act is supreme than statements given to press. All this press and legal are forcing everyone to lead a false life. one of their true self and one for the press and legal.
At which point his lawyer would phone up and tell him what a pillock he was, how open it left them and to please use the damn boilerplates that the qualified lawyers wrote :)
Try this:
"Everyone at Justin.tv is deeply shocked and saddened by this news. In the upcoming days, we will conduct a thorough investigation of the events surrounding this incident, and will cooperate fully with local police and federal authorities. Once all the facts have been gathered and analyzed, we will release an additional statement. Until that time, we will refrain from further comment, except to say that our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Biggs's family and friends as they come to grips with a sudden, tragic loss."