so I logged off and went about my day as usual and when i came back later i logged on and my screen was instantly a death screen saying "you died".. i lost my few good items that i had and everything is untouched other than my inventory, it gave me no cause of death or anything.

It's possible to lag such that on the server you are dead but on the client you are still alive. Then when you log back in you get the death screen. If you see mobs stop moving, it's best to relog.

that might have been it but i was safe and in a well lit area
and i remember playing later than that.. which timezone is that in?

oh dear that is way off from my time... ok this must be it thank you lol, (i don't remember leaving it on though)