They don't die from grief, it's the health bar that has to deteriorate for them to die I've had some experiments done and their happiness was empty during them unfortunately!

I'm guessing they were all sick or some other bizarre thing happened but that is so unfortunate!

As for E names, the ones I like are Eden, Elaine, Eleanor, Elise, Ella, Ellen, Elsie, Erika, Erin & Eve. Eliza is really nice too!