What to do when an internet friend goes missing and you don't know if they are even alive?

Can you still go to his FB page? If you can, then go to his friends list and maybe contact one of them.

If you didn't see an obituary, he's probably still living. Funeral homes and/or county clerk offices will often notify local newspapers of a death.
If you know his name, and the town he lived in, you might google that an come up with an address. There are those "look 'em up sites" that may give you relatives for free.
But as Murrmurr suggests, his acquaintances on Face Book probably are your best bet.
I had an Aussie pal, who chatted every day for 10 years, she had serious medical problems. When she stopped communicating, I kind of knew why. So while you never actually met in person, you do know this person dearly, and you feel the loss. Hoping for the best.
 

I thought of driving to New York at some point if I hear nothing or ask my New York relatives to look him up and see. He lives on Long Island so it would just be a stone's throw for them. I might do that first. We were not romantically involved. I have a BF but we shared so many interests I'm certain he would never just disappear without sending a PM to his closest friends. FB is different than here or other social media sites because we know eachother's names and families etc. He was even friends with my mom!

I did check for obituaries, but like I said, he is not listed as deceased.

Unfortunately I did not have the foresight to get his daughter's surname and because his account is deactivated, I cannot see his timeline or friends or anything.

I have a nice family so I think I'll try them first. Maybe they will enjoy the adventure. I do miss him so. Three of my facebook friends have died during the pandemic, but their pages remained intact so all of us friends of friends can go and commiserate. It does help.

Thanks so much for your suggestions. We have all been through this, I know.
chic.....I truly feel for you, and the uncertainty. I have no suggestions that haven’t already been said.
I hope that you find answers enough, to allow you to have some sort of closure.
I’m certain this is very hard for you.
Good luck in your findings.
Take care of yourself, please.
 
White pages, I think that they are the phone book
in America, try that, if you haven't done so already.

Good Luck.

Mike.
 

If you know his name, and the town he lived in, you might google that an come up with an address. There are those "look 'em up sites" that may give you relatives for free.
But as Murrmurr suggests, his acquaintances on Face Book probably are your best bet..
I had an Aussie pal, who chatted every day for 10 years, she had serious medical problems. When she stopped communicating, I kind of knew why. So while you never actually met in person, you do know this person dearly, and you feel the loss. Hoping for the best.
His facebook account has been deactivated so there is no friends list to look at. I know his address and phone number. He wouldn't be home, I don't think, and I don't want to ring him on his mobile if he's in the hospital. Thanks though.
 
Can you still go to his FB page? If you can, then go to his friends list and maybe contact one of them.

If you didn't see an obituary, he's probably still living. Funeral homes and/or county clerk offices will often notify local newspapers of a death.
He's not dead. I've checked that thoroughly. Can't access a deactivated page. You click and it leads you back to where you were. Nothing to see there. I think he must be ill. But I don't know for sure.
 
Back when “blogs” were a big thing I followed several that blogged about topics in which I was interested. One, in particular, lived full-time in a RV and posted almost daily about her travels, people she met, etc. She had a very engaging writing style and her posts were enjoyable. Then one morning I clicked on her site and she had not updated from the day before. I continued to check occasionally but there has never been another post. I always wonder what happened to her.
 
His facebook account has been deactivated so there is no friends list to look at. I know his address and phone number. He wouldn't be home, I don't think, and I don't want to ring him on his mobile if he's in the hospital. Thanks though.
If you want to go this way, there are sites which are pay, but they will list relatives.
 


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