Sorry to hear that your scan tool doesn't work but I don't think you needed to:
a. put the guys name here on this post and/or
b. speak about the death in his family
Most people who sell things here in the CEG, especially something like this, will stand behind it.
I think you could just waited till he got things taken care of with his family, thats alot more important IMO! If you need a code read just take your car to Autozone and they'll do it for free