Death by Disappearing

When a tree falls in the forest and no ones around to hear it, does it make a sound? Thats question that has been contemplated since the day it was first asked. So i propose a new question. One in the same area but of different caliber. When a man disappears and no ones around to see him live his life, is he truely alive or dead. In the story Sleepy Hollow Ichabod Crane disappears, to never to be heard from agien. If he was never heard from agien and no comfromation on his death. He went into exile after getting his heart broken and being haunted. So is he live or dead in exile even if he breaths.