... separate proceeding in March 1993, the Law Division, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 3B:27-6, declared Dr. Ahn legally dead as of March 23, 1993 ... obtained a declaration of Dr. Ahn's death pursuant to N.J.S.A. 3B:27-6. Before submission of the case to the jury, the court ... a wrongful-death action of a declaration of death under N.J.S.A. 3B:27-6 which provides: The Superior Court may declare the absentee dead ...