I think you are on to something here. I fully reject what the perp of this cruel joke did, but you have to respect(?) the level of the moral dungeon he ventured into. It makes me wonder if this is just the first stop on the bus ride further down?
There are many stories of cancer hoaxers, shysters, con artists, etc - but these people are usually motivated by something like money.
But in this case - money is not the objective. This person is exploring a darker level of humor than most would care to consider.