Awkward: Seattle mayor mourns still-living community leader

The Seattle mayor's office apologized for a news release mourning the death of a community advocate who turned out to be alive and well.

Mayor Ed Murray's press secretary, Rosalind Brazel, emailed a news release Thursday featuring the mayor's comments on the death of Jim Diers, a "former Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Director and community advocate," KIRO-TV, Seattle, reported Friday.

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"I'm very saddened by the death of Jim Diers," the news release quoted the mayor as saying. "He was an innovator in bringing communities together and made a significant contribution to the foundation that makes Seattle special. His work with neighborhoods was passionate and progressive. His service to this city was unmeasurable. My thoughts go out to the Diers family. He will be missed."

However, Brazel sent out a second email 29 minutes later with "CORRECTION" written in the subject line.

"The Mayor's office was mistakenly informed of the death of Jim Diers," Brazel wrote. "He is alive and well."