‘What do you mean I’m dead?’: Woman receives letter declaring her dead, but she’s alive

CANTON, Ohio (WOIO/Gray News) – Imagine getting a letter in the mail saying you’re dead, but you’re the one reading it.

A woman from Canton, Ohio, is living proof of that nightmare, and she says she’s already been denied important benefits because of someone’s error.

Bonnie Wilkes, 59, is shocked, confused and overwhelmed after receiving a letter in the mail from her insurance company on July 9.

The letter from Anthem says they were informed by Medicare about her death, and that her Anthem benefits ended on May 1, 2025.

Wilkes became emotional as she talked to WOIO, saying she saw a little humor in it at first, but quickly realized it was no joke.

“I mean, this is crazy. I can’t do anything, my life is stalled,” she said. “I looked online for my obituary.”

Wilkes got the letter after being released from the hospital for a serious leg injury that needed more antibiotics.

But her pharmacy also informed her that their records indicated she was dead.

Fortunately, her doctor’s office somehow worked to make sure she could get the prescription she needed – at least for now.

Wilkes says she had to go to the Social Security office in person and produce a photo ID to prove that she’s alive.

She provided WOIO with paperwork from the Social Security Administration that notes Wilkes was seen in person on July 14, 2025, and clarifies that she’s not dead.

“I am just so upset. I can’t take any more. It’s totally messed everything up. I was flipping out. I was like, ‘What do you mean I’m dead?” Wilkes said.

Wilkes says her biggest fear is that her disability check won’t come on the first of the month, and she needs it to pay her rent and utilities.

“My biggest fear is being evicted. Not being able to pay my bills. I can’t even use my food card,” she said.

What’s interesting is that in the letter from her insurance provider, a Railroad Retirement Board benefit is mentioned.

But Wilkes tells WOIO, “I’m only on disability, that’s it. I never worked for a railroad; I have no idea what that even means.”

Adding to the 59-year-old’s concerns, when she went to check her bank balance, the manager at her bank branch told her they needed her to come in and sign papers to prove she is who she says she is.

“I said, ‘What are you talking about?’ It’s ridiculous, I’ve worked my whole damn life. I’ve had surgery, brain surgery, broken bones, you name it. It took me seven years to get disability, and I was still trying to work,” Wilkes said.

WOIO reached out to Social Security and Anthem to determine how a mistake like this could happen.

Anthem answered with documents to pass on to Wilkes and started looking into the matter.

The Akron Social Security Office also responded, saying they will reach out to Wilkes directly to try and sort out the matter.

WOIO also reached out to several State House Representatives in the area. The press secretary for the House Republicans responded, saying she would investigate who else could be a good source for Wilkes to reach out to for help.

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