Twenty years ago Pennsylvania WOULD provide the current owner info when given a VIN (for a small fee). I had to go to DMV HQ in Harrisburg, but was able to locate the owners of three different vehicles that way...now due to privacy laws they no longer provide that service. With that said, I think the Estate Executive should be able to inquire with the DMV to see if his brother is the owner of VIN "xyz". And as others have said that would be the easy way to end this story by requesting a duplicate title.
Mike B
