To the news media, trite and cliched phrases concerning death are more appealing than a person's name. They add more zing to the headline news. And being bored? That's probably the most genuine emotion displayed by any of those you mentioned. I wonder if their audience isn't just as bored with all the murder and mayhem depicted on the TV and in the newspapers. It's gotten to the point that the weather forecast is the most palatable segment of the nightly news, and the weather forecast is correct about half the time.
My best wishes to you and your friend's family in dealing with this loss.