I just logged on, when I noticed my inventory showing 1 ship more than I own, when I checked it there was a ship there, I think it's 1 I sold a few months back, shortly after it's new owner died. It's ID is ID# 146661
There is no inventory event so I don't know where this ship came from, not complaining if admins are giving out freebies but I thought it a bit strange for a ship to just appear with no inventory event.
Then that would be why. When someone dies their stuff goes to the pilot, then to the commander if no pilot. Then to the market if neither of those are full (baring the dead persons names that is).
There has been a delay put into dead peoples stuff going to the NPC market that randomises the time it takes. It could be that this runs before it checks where the entities will go meaning that until its ready to go you won't get it.
Maybe consider it as relatives and lawyers fighting over the last will and testament of the late player?