Died before the patch
-Reconnect to same server "You are dead."
-Change servers "You are dead."
-Change to hardcore (never played on a HC server before) "You are dead."

I've waited, changed my name, tried 20 different servers, sorted by version and restarted everything. I've spent 3 hours on this according to Steam.

In addition my character from the menu screen is missing, see attachment.

I successfully worked around this issue several times, because it happens again as soon as you die.

1. you are dead screen
2. exit
3. change servers
4. esc while loading
5. repeat 3

do that a few times, esc at different times but before "you are dead" and within 10 I usually get a game to load. Occasionally close dayZ completely during the process, not sure whether that affects it.

after that, just don't die and you'll be fine :(

Is there are hardcore character delete server?