I was using Heath Ledger in a game when he passed away. I was ordered to immediately change my PB. I was not pleased, mods were not pleased that I was not pleased.
I dunno, I guess I don't see the big deal any way around it. I mean, we're using an actor/model/singer/famous person to play a part. Heath played a part in Batman, they didn't cancel the movie or even delay it because of his death. Maybe I'm an odd case study, but I'm not using them as a PB because I zomfg luv them 4evah!!! but because they physically fit the look of the character I'm playing. I know absolutely nothing at all about some of the PBs I use. I don't care if the "face" of a character is dead or alive, just like I don't feel "guilty" for watching a movie with a deceased actor in it, or listening to Nirvana albums. ...coincidentally, when they told me I had to change my Heath PB, I suggested Kurt Cobain instead and got a reply of that being fine. I headdesked, just a little.
That said, when I did try to app Heath to a game recently, I did ask before hand if the mods would mind to be polite. Got an A-okay. So...