Stillwater, Minn., Aug 28: A St. Paul man who missed a court hearing appeared to have a good excuse — he was dead. But authorities soon realized his obituary was a fake and Robert Michael Mathison was later arrested.

A paper trail indicates the obituary may have been used to excuse him for not appearing in Washington County District Court on charges stemming from a June case in which he faked a heart attack upon arrest.
A short obituary ran in the Pioneer Press on July 15: "Mathison, Robert M. Age 50 of St. Paul Died on July 12, 2003. Loved by everyone; loved everyone. Survived by 3 sons, Shawn, Jeremiah, Ryan and daughter Courtney. Private services." "Mr. Mathison, who I believe has open cases in the county, has recently passed on. Thanks for your time," the fax said. A copy of the brief obituary was included.
Instead of dismissing charges against the dead man — felony fourth-degree assault, obstructing the legal process with force and driving with a canceled license — a judge added the fax to the court file.
"I've never heard of someone faking their own death," said state trooper Glen Knippenberg, who arrested Mathison in June and said he never believed the obituary. "People come up with great excuses why they can't make it to court." While allegedly dead, Mathison was investigated in Dakota and Ramsey counties. Charges are under consideration against him in connection with felony theft in Mendota, and he has been investigated in St. Paul, authorities said.

Bureau Report