I had a differnt theory myself.
February 1995 wasn't the first time Richie had killed himself.
Nicky, Sean & James had an evil masterplan to make themselves rock superstars - they'd worked out some great tunes but they lacked that *something* - the twisted lunatic ramblings of all the best music (The Doors, Nirvana etc) so they divised a plot to get them.
They roamed accross the world's lunatic asylums searching for a crazy that would fit the style they were after (this is why Richie cannot play guitar).
However being the suicidal type he killed himself & they'd search for another 'Richie' from the nut-houses - someone who looked vaguely similar (this is why his hairstyle radically changed so often)
Unfortunately in '95 they're 27th Richie 'disappeared' rather publically & the band couldn't hush it up.