Notwithstanding any other provision of law relating to the length of time after which the continued absence of a person shall create a presumption of death, when a petition alleging that a person who is a public officer elected by the people or by the General Assembly or appointed by the Governor has disappeared and after diligent search cannot be found is presented to a court of record in the city or county in which the last known residence of the person is located, and when it appears to the satisfaction of the court that the circumstances surrounding the disappearance afford reasonable grounds for the belief that the person is dead, then the office held by such person shall be presumed to be vacant and the court shall enter an order to that effect.