To Peter, the friendly guest I reply:
The email was from a friend I know with the subject line "In Memorium". Since we have musician friends in common some of whom have died recently, it was reasonable for me to open it. I'll try to be more psychic in the future. I'm sorry not to have been.
On the other hand, what I did do was to refrain from forwarding it, check the factuality of the claim, and with the kind help of others sent believable information that debunked it to the fellow who posted it to me. He in turn retracted it with everyone he sent it to.
How would you improve this situation short of my preferred course...knee-capping the asses who invent crap like this and sent it out to well-meaning people?