I guess his action effectively means that the wife is left with nothing. Any life insurance policies he had taken out will be null and void because it was apparently suicide, and as it was a deliberate act on his part to destroy the house and aircraft, I assume the outcome for claiming insurance on them will also be refused!
Had he been taken to court for divorce proceedings, more than likely HE would have lost everything except his socks and jocks, and would have been paying her maintenance for the rest of his life.
Not entirely non-understandable, having seen what the divorce courts can do to a man!!