I'm a pretty big fan on Andy but there's no way he's dead. He's probably soaking up the sun off in some beach somewhere. He's a practical joker. Only a great practical joker could pull off the ultimate prank: faking your own death. He'll be back, randomly, one day.
From what I've heard, the story is that the guy who faked dying was a guy named Nathan McCoy or something...
It's such a moronic notion as far as I'm concerned. After reading Lost In The Funhouse by Bill Zehme, there's no doubt in my mind that he's DEAD. Don't get me wrong - there was hardly no doubt before (hehe), but after reading about his final moments, any sliver of doubt that may have been resting in the far back of my mind was erased.
If Andy had faked his death, there's no way he could've have faked it like that. His family, Lynne, and friends didn't leave his side when he was dying in bed. And his final moments, as described in the book, are much like some of the final moments of dying people I've experienced for myself, having worked previously with the elderly and in hospice settings.
A lot of people would have to be in on this elaborate joke, not just Andy. There are a LOT of people who would've had to work to pull this off.
So basically the fans living in a fantasy world are trying to sell the notion that Andy's family, his girlfriend, and Cedar-Sinai hospital are all in on this. Give me a break.
Not only that, but the most obvious point - if he were to come back he'd be arrested. It's illegal to fake your own death, I believe... lol
Andy was a jokester, but above all that, he was a people person. In his heart and soul he needed people.. esp. those he loved. He wouldn't have made it 25 years without his family and friends.
"And his final moments, as described in the book, are much like some of the final moments of dying people I've experienced for myself, having worked previously with the elderly and in hospice settings."
They don't automatically, but they quite often do. All muscles relax, including the sphincters controlling the bladder and bowels. If there are horses at the gate, they run out.