[Lynne]

So postid 215664 is completely missing from the database - no row at all?

This would have nothing to do with the templates. If posts are suddenly missing, then there is someone/somescript that is deleting them from there.

If your moderators are merging threads or posts and using the little moderator drop-down on the bottom of the page, tell them to make sure to look at the number that shows up in the Go (x) button. If they clicked on a post in one thread, then went to another and clicked on a post or two in there and then used the drop-down to merge or delete or move, then the post they clicked on in the other thread will have this action taken against it also. Tell them to check that number!!! It tells how many posts/threads are being affected by the action.