There are relatives that live near by in the same town that, the Aunt hasn't been to visit Mom in 7 years, and her children, grandchildren, haen't been to visit Mom in over 20 years. I know, very sad.
I was called by this Aunt this past Monday, which was the first time I'd heard from her in probably 3 years, and was shocked when I heard her voice, because I didn't recognize the phone number on my ID, but after small chit chat, she told me that her grandson, (my second cousin) told her that a man came to him and offered condolences about his Aunt. He asked what Aunt, which would be my Mom. (Keep in mind, they are of no blood relation) He asked "what about her?" He told him, there was a woman's body found down by the railroad tracks after the snow melted and said it was my Mother. I assured her it wasn't my Mom, and she was safe at home. I assumed the topic was over after we hung up and I wouldn't hear from her for a few more years. Two days later, while I am at the store, the police department calls me and asks me to meet the two policemen who were at Mom's house so they could do a wellness check. I immediately went over there and asked what was going on. The police officer stated that a "distant relative" called them to do a wellness check and they were checking to see if I was HIDING MY MOTHER'S DEAD BODY AND COLLECTING HER SOCIAL SECURITY CHECKS! I think I went into shock from that point on, and I told them I would go in and tell Mom they were there, I did and Mom immediately became LIVID, and began to scream, "I'm not going out there and they aren't coming in here!!" I told her they just wanted to see her, but she continued to refuse so I had to tell them she wasn't coming out, and I would open a window so they could hear her talk. That was sufficient for them and they left. Needless to say, I immediately got on the phone and cussed out a couple of people that did this, and told them to leave us alone and stay out of our lives, that we didn't need them. I want to know, do I have a legal case against these people, or police department for defamation of character? And people in this forum wonder why I am angry at times...I am not angry this time, I am ready to explode.
This is such a crazy scenario I could see it being turned into a comedy sketch, but I'm certain it was not funny to you. (Maybe some day you'll look back on it and laugh, but maybe not, and not for a long time, for sure!)
The poor police were just doing their job. The fact that they accepted a view from the window is evidence they thought it was crazy, too. Unless the police are gossipping off duty or have made public claims about you or your mother, I don't see where defamation of character comes into play on their end. There have been cases of relatives fraudulantly cashing SS checks after the recipient is dead (not, presumably by hiding bodies -- just by failing to notigy SS Admin) and that is against the law and I can understand police checking up on such a claim. Just doing their job.
The people who out of stupidity or malice told the police their crazy notion and caused the interuption to your day and the upset to your mother caused you trouble, but I'm not sure it ruined your reputation. So what you can do besides totally shut them out of your life, I don't know.
Could your Aunt's grandson be mentally unstable? Somehow my radar picks up a sad story in the background. Maybe Aunt was checking up as a way of calming Grandson down, but she was too late -- he'd already called the police. Who knows? In any case, the police were satisfied on the fraud claim and this stupid accusation should not bother you again.
See a lawyer or (my choice) save you energy for the next unnecessary crisis.
If you have other reasons for moving go ahead otherwise don't move your baggage to another address