His official death was reported on December 12, 2012
It's more than likely that OP was mistaken, albeit their was heart in the right place.
Link to BBC article
I purchased a Samick P/J split (the neck had so much flex you could've taken it fishing) in 1996, along with a soft case, 30W amplifier (Epiphone), patch cord and small tuner -- $400.
Should've kept it go fishing... ah well.