Would you kill yourself because someone was spreading a rumor that you were Jewish? [Details required?

Sorry to ask a question that has such local details, but I think it’s an important discussion.

MO Auditor Tom Schweich, a Republican candidate for Missouri Governor committed suicide 2–26-15. Almost immediately the media began reporting that Schweich was upset because there was a whisper campaign that Schweich was Jewish.
Democratic party leader John Hancock was blamed for the Jewish whisper campaign.
Republican lawmakers in Missouri are calling for the resignation of state party chair John Hancock, after allegations surfaced that he spread anti-Semitic rumors that contributed to the suicide of GOP gubernatorial candidate Tom Schweich..

Okay. So, what am I missing? Last I looked, this is not Nazi Germany and being having rumors that you’re Jewish is not grounds for shame, much less death by your own hand. I’m not Jewish, but even I resent the implication that it’s something to be deeply ashamed of.

How has the media perpetuated this without being soundly called out on the hypocrisy?

Thanks, if you’ve made it this far.