OBIT SUBMIT

One popular way people have faked their death has been to place their own obituary in the newspaper, quite crafty and ballsy if you ask me. It seems most who have tried this method of faking their death were facing the long arm the law. The hope is that the investigator or prosecutors office accept the death for face value and closes the case. Meet the want to be dead.

 

Person: Scott Bennett

Obit: Submitting a fake obituary for his living mother to a local newspaper.

Motivation: To receive paid bereavement time

Busted: Relatives called the newspaper to report Bennett’s mother was alive and well.

Outcome: Fired from his job and charged with disorderly conduct.

 

Talk about a dumbass, obviously Bennett never considered that fact that a relative or a neighbor would spot the obit.

 

Person: James Snyder

Obit: Submitted an obit for his girlfriend's 17-year-old son

Motivation: To get out of work

Busted: People who knew the teen saw him at a restaurant and called authorities

Outcome: Snyder was charged with tampering with records and sentenced to a year in jail — suspended to seven days.

All that trouble to get a day off. Again, what makes someone believe that relatives and friends won’t come forward?

 

Person: Shawnda K. Hatfield

Obit: Published her own obituary in the Star Press

Motivation: Avoid jail time

Busted: Hatfield was arrested by a bail bondsman

Outcome: A trip to the pokey

 

The bail bondsman heard a rumor that Hatfield was still alive and well. Naturally, Hatfield claimed she knew nothing about the fake obit.

 

Person: James Ford Seale

Obit: Newspapers reported him dead, apparently because his family said he was.

Motivation: Three life sentences

Busted: Brother of the victim

Outcome: Prison & Death

 

Person: Jon A. Criss

Obit: Sent in his own obituary to a local paper

Motivation: Avoid drug related charges

Busted: Unknown

Outcome: Bail 75k

 

Person: Byron Shane Carpenter

Obit: "Byron Shane Carpenter, Jan. 15, 1979 - March 2, 2009. Byron passed away last Monday in a car accident. He was a loving father and husband. May he rest in peace. Anthony-Bethany Funeral Home."

 

Motivation: Facing vehicular homicide charges

Busted: A tip placed to MADD

Outcome: Busted hiding under a bunch of rocks.

 

Person: Jason Hart

Obit: Sent his local newspaper a fake obituary

Motivation: EBay scam

Busted: News got to his parents on holiday

Outcome: He claimed he had no knowledge of obit

 

As you can see Obit-Submit equals dumbass! When creating a scheme, devising a plan or hatching a crime give your adversary a little more credit. By doing so, you just might raise the bar in your felonious actions.