Ultimately this is the online world and the physical takes precedence over this,
You're absolutely right when you say this. Infact this is bitter truth. Sometimes people can just disappear afterall the real world is where real life problems can take over or have a significant impact on how we show up here. Perhaps a time will come where we will all be less present here and even everywhere else too.
As for the downvoters. It's really saddening. I wish there are things that can be done for people to understand that they can settle things without choosing chronic downvoting.
Unfortunately the second poster is a legit member of this chain from 2017 I think and shouldn't be treated that way.