[backinthefold]

I don't think they are dead because of him not being able to see Thestrals until watching Cedric die.

 

I wondered about that myself, and that is a valid point. But where could they have been all this time?

[WV Mountain Mama]

Trapped in the Dark Lord's wand, somehow....

[SuziQ]

I don't think they are dead because of him not being able to see Thestrals until watching Cedric die.
I wondered about that myself, and that is a valid point. But where could they have been all this time?

That was explained in OOTP. He was only one when they died, and he didn't actually SEE them get killed, or remember it from when it happened. He only 'heard' what happened to them when he was in the presence of the Dementors. On the other hand, he watched Cedric die, and carried him back in GOF, so he was then able to see the Threstrals.