So lets look at ages if I have Ranma 16 in 1983. That would make him 73 in 2040. There are infirm people who died of "Natural Causes" no active ailment old age excuse in their 60's even in the past 5 years IRL. Its rare but not unheard of.
I don't want Akane to have her death coma whichever ends up being used back during the initial Lain incidents but the lack of border between the worlds could be useful in the coma possibility. Perhaps having her learning to detect Ki and Astral Project and she ends up noticing the aura of a student she saw the dead body of and follows... But how would Ranma not be able to chase and get her back like with Kidnappings?
One thing Lain doesn't appear to be is Omniscient. But would she even still be around in the Wired?
Would it make more sense for Ranma to be noticed in a newly created situation for Section 9 or during Laughing Man. Perhaps as someone who is confused about all the talk about the logo? Or the Individual Eleven? Someone who was near by and seemed out of place? Or even more confusing changing form in plain sight. Would the Major think it was a hack? You know like she did when she felt the pull to that one store where some people keep their memorabilia.