Activation Locked

Apple can help you with this but it would require you being able to demonstrate to them that you are now the true owner of the device. It does not specify you have to be the "original owner". This is done online at: Activation Lock support request - https://al-support.apple.com/#/additional-support Apple says, "Proof of ownership documentation is required," but does not provide many details in the article as to what is acceptable proof. Typically it would be the first owner who does this since their name would be on the receipt, but a descendant with legal proof of ownership transfer may also meet the requirements. I suspect the proof would be similar to that outlined in: How to request access to a deceased family member's Apple account - Apple Support

By doing that you could then log into the device using the deceased person's account and remove the lock.

Don't share personal information such as imei numbers on a public forums like this.

If the owner is deceased, you cannot access the iPhone, before you have followed the steps in this article

How to request access to a deceased family member's Apple account - Apple Support

Apple will not help you remove the lock, as you're not the original owner of the iPhone.