what to do if your long distance close friend dies and you don't know about it?

I worry about this sometimes because I have met some kind people and one day I just might never hear from them again. I try to respect everyone's autonomy though and be respectful of them but sometimes I want to get their number so I can check in. But I'm also not keen on giving mine out. I have a couple I trusted enough to give my email too.

This had been an issue for ages. I recall on MySpace people saying they were going to commit suicide and there was no follow up. I don’t think some were real people though. Catfish/fakes trolling and making up stories etc

I guess if you know details: obits or mutuals? If they just “died” and there’s zero online activity anymore it’s not enough to say they are officially dead…

If it helps. I’m good enough with searching stuff like that to be able to potentially give you an answer. Assuming this is a specific person you are worried about?

Happened over and over. My father used to save up bad news so he could make me cry and collapse in public, and then laugh really loudly. Now I'm not interested in knowing if he's gone yet. And I don't get updates from my last remaining siblings - I get bloodied up by them. Family!
My exes had more caring parents who prepared obituaries for themselves and it was online in a place I could find.
I remember looking over the years until they were all gone.
Nobody alive actually knows me well.

That happened to me. I still don't really know what happened to him.

Well i guess its too late to do anything?

Easy. Nothing, as you don't know about it.

Nothing, can’t be close if you don’t realise they stopped communication.