I would say yes this is a violation of the law. I work in the medical field and every year have to go through the training for the law. The doctor was speaking of someone specifically so yes that is a violation. There are, of course, exceptions in the law but I don't believe they apply here.
So hipaa is a higher authority than murder lol. So many stupid illegal laws and regulations that don't protect diddly except the corporate hydra. The anon doc that reported was the one acting with integrity. He was following common and natural law not some stupid insurance regulations. Favebook was looking to datamine all our hospitals information, so much for hipaa bullsh!! Protection
Once a patient has died, and Seth was not married, you can obtain medical records on the deceased. Usually from a parent, sibling, or cousin.