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My Brother Did Not Jump Off the Ford Bridge in Minneapolis

By Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker

Real Estate Agent with Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker DRE #00697006

June 13, 2014 01:27 AM

Before I go into detail about what happened, what you first need to know is my brother is undead and he did not kill himself by jumping off the Ford Bridge in Minneapolis. Which is a strange enough story in itself, and I mentioned it to a seller yesterday as we were discussing the possibilities of putting his home in Roseville on the market in a few weeks. I brought it up only in case I sounded a bit peculiar because I was still struggling with the shocking news of my brother's suicide when the Roseville seller called.

I had also just received news that my listing on Old Auburn Road had closed, a home that another real estate agent could not sell so the seller had contacted me to list and sell it. We listed at the same price and it sold, and we closed yesterday with a 2-week all-cash escrow. While I was feeling very relieved and happy for the seller, there was still this other thing lurking beneath the surface.

You can read more in my personal blog today about The Undead No-Suicide Brother in Minneapolis.

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Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor®

Carmel by the Sea, CA

Rothwell Realty Inc. CA#01968433 Carmel-by-the-Sea

Elizabeth: Talk about a provocative title! And I'm glad to put our minds at ease that your broker is ok.

Jun 13, 2014 01:53 AM

Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist

KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA

Probate Real Estate Services

Elizabeth, What an odd way to get "re-connected" with your brother even if it were only to discover the status of his heath. Very odd indeed how some people drift apart from their families. Even though you've been a part from your brother ... it still must sting to know that he is stage 4 cancer and his death is likely around the corner. The police got it wrong but you got information about your brother in the process.

Jun 13, 2014 02:02 AM

Les & Sarah Oswald

Realty One Group - Eastvale, CA

Broker, Realtor and Investor

Elizabeth,

What a roller coaster of a ride it must have been. At least he is undead...Wish he comes to realized soon that there is still time to reconnect.

Jun 13, 2014 02:42 AM

Tammy Lankford,

Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA

Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Sad, just all around sad. And familiar. My Donald's father is dead. Reached out to him a few years ago before he was dead when I knew he was going to die and nope, nada, even the mail came back un opened. only actually found out he is dead from findagrave.com

Jun 13, 2014 04:24 AM

Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker

Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA

Put 40 years of experience to work for you

Hi Hella: Well it wouldn't be my broker but I can see why you wrote that.

Hi Kathleen: I suspect people don't pay much attention to time marching on. We don't have forever to mend damaged relationships.

Hi Sarah: It was a wild ride, very bizarre. My sister's name is Margaret and they confused her with a Peggy, and they never once asked about her brother's last name.

Hi Tammy: Findagrave.com is a pretty useful site. I have found more than one dead relative there. My 2nd ex-husband, Albert, for example. But nobody should have to find out that way, I agree. I'm sorry your family had to go through that, but like you, I understand. It's comforting to know we are not alone with such weird family dynamics.

Jun 13, 2014 04:40 AM

Pat McCormick

Long and Foster Manassas - Manassas, VA

Wow. I'm glad your family didn't have to deal with a suicide (I guess you actually did, but not for long). Perhaps your brother will want to see his siblings some time soon. It is a testament to your professionalism that you were able to continue to function throughout the mess.

Jun 13, 2014 04:53 AM

Norma Toering Broker for Palos Verdes and Beach Cities

Charlemagne International Properties - Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

Palos Verdes Luxury Homes in L.A.

What a bazaar turn of events, and even though the outcome was not good news, the initial report was a stunner.

Jun 13, 2014 11:12 AM

James Dray

Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Don't feel lonesome Elizabeth we are dealing with the drifting apart from one of our sons. Sad but it happens.

Jun 13, 2014 08:19 PM

Gabe Sanders

Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL

Stuart Florida Real Estate

You would think that the police would get it straight before potentially devastating a family. I was hoping toward the end of the story that this would lead to a reunion, but alas it appears not to be in the cards.

Jun 13, 2014 09:40 PM

Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker

Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA

Put 40 years of experience to work for you

Hi Pat: I don't know if I would call it professionalism that allowed me to set the horror aside for a moment as much as it was a coping mechanism.

Hi Norma: When my sister told me, I just stared at my phone, dumbfounded. I asked her to repeat it, in case I misunderstood.

Hi James: Estrangement is an odd thing. You can choose to feel sorry for yourself or you can choose to get past it but resolving it is not always a possibility. I'm sorry your son has separated from his family and then you now interact with one fewer family members. Being blood related doesn't mean you have to be friends, though. I have relations with some friends that are as close as family.

Hi Gabe: It was pretty much a shocker that the police could make such a horrible mistake. Apparently they never asked my sister to verify any personal details -- it was the birth date they gave her that made us figure out the police had screwed up.

Jun 14, 2014 04:51 AM

John G. Johnston

John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC - Westcliffe, CO

An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO

Elizabeth You have such a humorous way of presenting sad news...I don't know whether to laugh or cry...I CHOOSE TO LAUGH. Life is life, family is family...you gotta smile or go nuts!

Jun 14, 2014 02:17 PM

Conrad Allen

Re/Max Professional Associates - Webster, MA

Webster, Ma, Realtor

Wow! That's quite a story. How could the police notify some one about a death with out verifying the facts. Good luck with your brother.

Jun 14, 2014 09:26 PM

Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker

Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA

Put 40 years of experience to work for you

Like I told my sister, John, it's kind of a shame that we can't now refer to our brother as the guy who jumped off the Ford Bridge, and that made her laugh, too. Life is weird. You've got to find humor where you can.

Hi Conrad: Lots of questions about that whole episode. How could the police mess up so badly and why in the world would my nephew's wife let me believe all day that my brother was dead when she obviously found out immediately he was not, was she raised in a barn?

Jun 15, 2014 05:48 AM