I see it differently when strangers die - I think it is not the loss of that person themselves being mourned -particularly if only known in fantasy sort of ways. For me, I would see as me trying to glom onto a tragedy or sadness that was not mine. I mean - I am not happy hearing about the loss others endure but it is theirs - not mine. Maybe it is that I don't really believe that outsiders are really mourning the person/loss of having them in your life but rather their own mortality/loved ones/relationship to the concept of death and using the current situation.
I felt that way when the therapist would get more worked up (I know they were acting) about something I told them - my X not yours so chill. When my person died, there was a graduate student almost prostrate with grief/sobs - I have no idea why - he knew of her and maybe had a class but he was not one of hers. I mean - I didn't try to stop him or anything but it seemed excessive and misguided unless he was actually grieving something/one else.
Just a different take.