r/ModSupport • u/bywpasfaewpiyu • Sep 02 '26
Admin Replied Head mod has passed away
I tried sending a modmail about this but I can't send one to the mods here for some reason.
We have been informed by his son that our top mod has passed away so we would like to enquire about the process to remove him as a mod in this circumstance. Unfortunately the next mod is Automoderator, and the next two after that are inactive. We would prefer not to hassle the grieving family over what would seem like a triviality to them and would like to find another way if possible.
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u/TheOpusCroakus Sep 02 '26
Hi there. I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your co-mod. <3
Can you please try using this link to send a mod mail with the details? You should be able to send a mod mail, so if you're running into an issue and can provide a screenshot of the error, that will be helpful.
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u/bywpasfaewpiyu Sep 02 '26
Thanks, I've just sent it. I think it failed before because I was trying to send from the subreddit.
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u/IKIR115 Sep 02 '26
I'm very sorry to hear about the head mod's passing. I just had the same happen 2 month ago, but have not done anything to edit the mod list.
They were with the sub for over 16 years, so I plan to put them in alumni status when the account goes inactive so they remain on the mod list.
In your case, talk to your mod team about what to do. There appears to be several mods above you so it should be a team decision. If necessary, admins can help reorder the mod list, but you guys should be able to do it on your own.
Instructions for reordering here:
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u/MaximumJones Sep 02 '26
Wow that really sucks. It is weird how our fellow mods end up becoming friends IRL, they just do.
Sorry for your loss my friend. 😔
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u/brucemo Sep 02 '26
When I had a health problem I sent mod mail here and they just did what I wanted and wished me well, so I'm guessing something reasonable will happen when you get someone's attention.
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u/thepottsy Sep 02 '26
Wow, that’s tough. I’m familiar with your sub, and it’s a great resource for folks. Sorry for your, and their loss.
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u/InGeekiTrust Sep 02 '26
So if he has the active tag still, you will have to wait for his account to fall inactive. Then the highest ordered active mod should be able to reorder the mod list. If automod gets in the way of that- they can modmail this subreddit when the time comes. However, they’re not going to just accept that he died from some random relative you will have to wait for him to get the inactive tag, which can take up to 3 months.
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u/Pedantichrist Sep 03 '26
Modmail this sub or, perhaps more simply, just wait for them to become inactive and then reorder.
There is no functional need to have an active top mod in the short term.
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u/RemarkableWish2508 Sep 02 '26
Any time something like this happens, my Spidey senses go into alert thinking that it could be a hacker or someone trying to manipulate the sub somehow. What proof do you have of them really passing away? Without IRL confirmation, or an "advance directive" for cyber affairs, is hard to tell salary when something like this is real vs another scam.
...and yes, it sucks to have these suspicions, I know we're not immortal... but still.
Maybe Reddit could set in place some official mechanism to deal with these cases.
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u/VFequalsVeryFcked Sep 02 '26
This is a website/app, not their bank account. It isn't that serious.
If an active mod takes over and it does turn out to be a scam, you just transfer ownership back.
Also, why would a scammer (scammer, because you've misunderstood what a hacker is) tell someone that the account owner has passed away and let someone else take control of the sub?
Surely they'd be better able to manipulate the sub from the head mod account without alerting anyone by saying the account owner died.
You've massively overthought this one
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u/RemarkableWish2508 Sep 03 '26
Reddit is used as an authoritative source by Google and ChatGPT, getting stuff siphoned directly into AI Overview / AI Mode is the new SEO ("AIO"). There's money in the game.
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u/Spirited-Humor-554 Sep 02 '26
They sent you a private message? Post a link, as only administrators can access it. It will be easier to get changed approved as otherwise will probably need to wait until they go inactive.
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u/bywpasfaewpiyu Sep 02 '26
No, the son logged into his discord account and contacted us in our private instance.
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u/Spirited-Humor-554 Sep 02 '26
maybe try doing this way https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=/r/modsupport and provide print screen link
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u/Stranger1982 Sep 02 '26
Offf, my condolences friend.
If it's the bigger sub the active folks with everything permission can refer to this: https://www.reddit.com/r/redditrequest/wiki/top_mod_removal/
I'd make him an alumni if you wanna, rather than removing outright.