Dying Man Amends Will, Asks Friends and Family Not to Share His Private Text Messages

In what some are calling a sign of the times, 68-year-old John Arnold of Ohio amended his will this week to include one final request: that his friends and family never, under any circumstances, post his private text messages online after his death.

Arnold, who was diagnosed with late-stage cancer last year, said he wanted to avoid what he described as “the posthumous humiliation tour” that seems to happen every time someone dies.

“I’ve seen too many people’s last words become someone else’s viral content,” he said. “If I texted you my thoughts on Israel, that was between us. Not the internet.”

His attorney, who has overseen estate planning for more than 30 years, said he’d never been asked to write something like this before.

“Usually, people want to make sure their kids get the house,” he explained. “Mr. Arnold just wanted to make sure nobody screenshots his texts and shared them online.”

Over the past few years, sharing private messages of deceased individuals has become a growing social media trend.

What often begins as a tribute post can quickly spiral into a digital excavation of the person’s entire personality. Arnold’s daughter, Megan, said she understands her father’s request.

“Dad wasn’t perfect, but I think it’s fair he doesn’t want his drunken midnight texts immortalized,” she said.

Two of Arnold’s friends said they plan to honor his wishes, though they admit there’s some temptation.

“There’s a lot of gold in those texts,” one friend said. “We used to talk about everything from politics to whether dogs have dreams. But yeah, he’s right — it should probably die with him.”

In addition to the text message clause, Arnold reportedly included a line asking that no one “post vague tributes” like “I can’t believe you’re gone” without actually saying his name.

“He said it made him feel like people were trying to get engagement off his death,” Megan added.

Arnold’s lawyer said the clause may not be legally enforceable, but believes it sets an important precedent for the digital age. “If nothing else, it’s a reminder that even in death, your group chat could haunt you.”

Arnold’s final words to his family, according to those present, were simple: “Please. Delete the texts.”

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