This thread is inspired by this image I saw on the LA Times blog....



And you see it all the time on TV....where people thought someone was dead, but it turns out they weren't. It's an interesting concept. Of all the people who reportedly died on 9/11, how many weren't ever recovered? Could you believe that someone or multiple people used it as an opportunity to disappear?

If you were ever in dire trouble (with the law, someone was after you, etc), would you fake you death....or allow people to believe you had died? If someone who you cared about purportedly passed away suddenly turned up alive after 10+ years of hiding out, would you be grateful....or shun them for the deception?

What an interesting topic. I think that it is quite possible that people fake their death or just disappear without explanation, and 9/11 would have been a perfect time for someone to do such a thing if they lived in the area, and had been thinking about something like that prior.

I don't know if I would or could ever do that, even if I was in some serious trouble. Living a lie every day would be such a strange, sad way to live.

ITA that it's an interesting topic an yes - I can see that happening. I'd never do it myself, though. It would devastate my family, especially my parents.

If I had to disappear, then I would leave but I wouldn't allow those closest to me to believe I were dead. That'd be too cruel. I would tip them off that I was still alive, but couldn't see them indefinitely. As far as if I could forgive someone who allowed me to believe that they were dead; it depends, but I'd be inclined to say no. At least not for a long time.

No I would never do such a thing, it would hurt my family too much to think that I was dead and especially with no body, there would never be any closure and they would suffer for a very long time. I would just let fate take its course.

Tony Marino wrote:

No I would never do such a thing, it would hurt my family too much to think that I was dead and especially with no body, there would never be any closure and they would suffer for a very long time. I would just let fate take its course.

Because of my family, I wouldn't fake my death or allow people to believe that I was death. If it was a matter of their safety, I would possibly leave, but they would know I was still out there and alive.

You looking to make a life insurance score Marc?

But seriously. I wouldn't have the slightest idea of how to fake my own death or assume another identity. If my life was in danger, I might try to run but I'm probably taking my wife and daughter with me because they would be at risk too.

Marc™ wrote:

This thread is inspired by this image I saw on the LA Times blog....



And you see it all the time on TV....where people thought someone was dead, but it turns out they weren't. It's an interesting concept. Of all the people who reportedly died on 9/11, how many weren't ever recovered? Could you believe that someone or multiple people used it as an opportunity to disappear?

I can believe it and I've actually thought about it. I wouldn't doubt that someone was vile enough to use 9/11 as an excuse to disappear.

If you were ever in dire trouble (with the law, someone was after you, etc), would you fake you death....or allow people to believe you had died?

No. There is a -1000% percent chance I'd be in that situation....but I would let someone know I was okay. Even if I could never see them again.
If someone who you cared about purportedly passed away suddenly turned up alive after 10+ years of hiding out, would you be grateful....or shun them for the deception?

Both.