I said something similar when it all happened. Why would a OWNER have to cut through gates, fences or locks? Why cut a fence when he could open a gate? Someone who is suicidal shouldn't be making extra unneeded work for themselves.
The whole thing seemed extremely fishy and didn't add up. When you realize too, the "sheriff" or whatever he is managed to have all his pals show up immediately with private firearms to shoot everything, including animals in their cages and I believe 4 week old cubs... it doesn't smell likely to be a owner-release and suicide. They also declared it a suicide before they'd had time to investigate anything.
I wouldn't be surprised at anything that AR extremists do. COuld be an independent, a PETA, a HSUS or ALF type groupie.