I think somebody has told me that someone has died and they haven’t

[gingerbits]

How do I find out if they have?

[Eslteacher06]

I think you need to give more info than that?

[LouiseTrees]

I think we need more context here.

[Climbingallthetrees]

Try google

[Choice4567]

I’m sorry?

[RedNun]

Why do you only ‘think’ someone told you?

[Fatted]

We need more context to judge OP.

How recently did it happen?

[Todaythiscouldbe]

Family/friend/acquaintance- ask somebody else who knows them
Public figure- google

[RainbowRaine]

Death records, local newspapers, news coverage. Google the name and see what results turn up.

[PurpleDaisies]

You mean how do you find out if someone has really died?

[redbirdblackbird]

Death recordd

[gingerbits]

I was told at work that somebody had died while we were in lockdown. This colleague does not like me and I found it strange they announced that our mutual colleague was dead.

Nothing came out about it internally, no announcement.

I have since spoken to close friends of the supposedly dead colleague (about work) and offered them my condolences but have found them surprised to hear he is apparently dead. So I have been effectively breaking the news to them.

I have no idea what is going on

[Fatted]

I also don't think it's the sort of thing that people would lie or 'joke' about really.

[gingerbits]

Nothing on google, nothing in the papers. It apparently happened 8 days ago

[user1471447924]

Can’t you try contacting your potentially dead colleague yourself? Or a manager?

[toomanyplants]

How about you stop announcing it?

[HollowTalk]

Do you have that message in writing?

[user1471447924]

Because if a potentially malicious rumour was going around my workplace that I was dead, I’d certainly want to know about it!

[PurpleDaisies]

Why would they lie?

[SquirtleSquad]

What the fuck

[gingerbits]

I am not announcing it. I am talking about work like normal to colleagues and offering my condolences to those who I know are his good friends. Two people. Neither knew he was dead. So I have of course stopped mentioning it

[mistermagpie]

Why would it be in the papers or google? Most deaths aren't. It's a really really sick thing to lie or joke about and I literally can't think of a single reason why someone would do that, even if they don't like you.

[Todaythiscouldbe]

@toomanyplants

How about you stop announcing it?

Exactly this! After 'announcing' it to one colleague who had no idea I think I'd have done a bit more research

[SquirtleSquad]

What did the two friends say/do when you told them?

[gingerbits]

I didn’t announce it. See the context.

[Diverseduvet]

Have a quiet word with your manager. Ask them outright.