False Identity

In 1983, Patrick Welsh disappeared and left behind a suicide note. Five years later, his wife, Elizabeth, officially had him declared dead. In 1997, Elizabeth received a letter from the Social Security Administration, demanding that she pay back $56,000 in death benefits. She then discovered that Patrick was still alive and living in Texas under the name Tim Kingsbury. “48 Hours" Correspondent Harold Dow reports. This classic "48 Hours" episode last aired on 8/24/2001. Watch all-new episodes of “48 Hours” on Saturdays, and stream on demand on Paramount+.