Well, this one sure fails the obituary test:

St. Johns County deputies recently launched an investigation into what they called one of the strangest accidents they've ever seen when a man was found dead after getting stuck in a cat door.

Good ol' Florida.

honestly, do you not think about the family before posting things like this?

I'm going to butt in on that since I wrote but didn't post a comment on this earlier (needed more time to think --I can be slow at it). I do understand JJRB's question, I even agree a bit on a general non-specific level like how reporters might consider leaving out names et cetera, but...

An embarrassing tragic-comedic death that could have been taken straight out of a Carl Hiaasen or Elmore Leonard novel (both usually situated in and writing about, that's right, Florida) and people are somehow supposed not to be intrigued or *shock, horror* actually laugh?

JJRB (and the family too) should be thankful no vaseline was involved. Yes, it can always be worse. As for sympathy, well, the guy was technically in the process of breaking and entering right? I still feel sorry for him --although probably not in a way JJRB would approve of-- but it probably can't be sugarcoated without becoming completely insincere and I bet his family is more than aware of that. The guy has long passed any state of affairs where it helps him if anyone feels sorry for him (since I'm religious that's because I don't believe in eternal damnation, but for those who are not there's even less reason to). The one I really feel sorry for is the girlfriend who found her (loved) boyfriend dead trapped in a cat door.

Sorry if this comment makes me an asshole, in my defense I can only say that I might just be as stupid as to manage to go in an equally silly fashion when time comes. If I do I wouldn't expect anything else from strangers, or perhaps even those familiar with me, than what I've said above. And if there's something thereafter I might even shake my head and chuckle on my own.

Well I am family, he was my brother in law and there are many facts to this story that were not said in any news article, yes his girlfriend asked him to leave because of an arguement but that was jsut to cool off, how many times have people been in arguements and walked away to cool off, I know I have. On a second note, he was trying to unlock the door something that others had done in the past so this wasnt something that he just thought up on his own. Is it a bizarre way to die? yes, did I expect people to make nasty comments? maybe to a certian degree but at the same time there are two children left behind that we are trying to shield from all of the negativity which is difficult to do especially since this has been all over the world and people talk. I understand everyone has a right to their opinion but I have a right to mine as well and I will stick up for my family and first and foremost my niece and nephew...

Assuming that the above is legitimate, please accept my condolences for your family's loss, and particularly that of your niece and nephew. Certainly the post was not written with the expectation that any family members would be reading it, but as you note, the circumstances were such that it was going to draw commentary. Such is the nature of the web.

We heard about all of the comments even before reading anything which again I understand everyone has a right to their opinion. Thank you for the condolences it has been a difficult time for us and please understand why some comments may be hurtful. No matter how it happened he is no longer with us and that is something that we as the family will always have to deal with, I just wish the news stations would have tried to find us first before posting all these articles... Thank you again...

I only read the further comments just now and I won't hesitate to offer my condolences as well. I don't intend nastiness or malice towards the deceased with the above, nor to his relatives and loved ones. I think and hope that applies to anyone who makes similar comments.

I apologize for any additional suffering I've caused.

I appreciate the above comments and please understand that I do realize that everyone has a right to their opinion, people have attacked me on certain sites and maybe coming on the net and trying to defend my BIL and my family was not the right move in some peoples eyes but I felt the need especially since there are so many factors that people do not know. I made my point and that is all I wanted to do... again I appreciate your comment above...