What makes you think he is still alive?
Read Kabar's excerpt; post # 8.
I think he’s still alive. Three reasons. First, no one had any reason to cover up his death. Second even so, they want you to believe he’s dead in order to persuade you to give up looking for him. Third, he disappeared at a very convenient time for Brennan. I doubt that his death would be that convenient but certain his disappearance might. And other reason come to think of is that it’s said he has a habit of disappearing. Apparently he’s done it before.