User blog comment:Godisme/San'ou/@comment-1671639-20120726205140/@comment-893506-20120726210930

Perhaps, but there needs to be evidence to support this before we jump into any conclusions. Until such a situation presents itself, I pretty much consider Byakuya dead right now.

Don't get me wrong, I don't want him to be dead, as he's one of the captains I happen to like, but right now, there's really nothing in-story to contest the Stern Ritter's statement that he's dead.