News quickly spread that former New Zealand soccer player and coach Alex "Sandy" Davie had been murdered in Australia, eventually reaching the ears of Davie himself - on the golf course.
The golf club secretary raced on to the course to inform him he had just been widely reported killed in a factory on the Gold Coast.
The Gold Coast Bulletin on Wednesday reported the body of security guard Alexander "Sandie" Davie had been found at a factory.
Channel 10 contacted Television NZ to ask for footage of the former national goalkeeper, the New Zealand Herald reported on Thursday.
TVNZ ran a story during the midday bulletin reporting that Mr Davie had been murdered and it was quickly picked up by news websites including nzherald.co.nz.
A friend phoned Mr Davie's wife, Sue, who phoned the golf club in a panic.
"Talk about drama," Mr Davie said. "The club secretary comes out and says, 'You've got to phone home. There's been a report that you've been murdered'."
It was a little upsetting because there was no real confirmation for family or friends, he said.
"I've had about 20 phone calls and text messages since checking to see whether it is me or whether I'm still alive."
The 63-year-old said it was a coincidence that he and his wife had lived in Burleigh, where the bodies were found, about 30 years ago.
TVNZ spokeswoman Megan Richards said the network was urgently investigating how "this disturbing mistake came to be made".
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