The author does not say that he is dead for sure. He says that if we read this most recent post, it probably means he is.
What do you think?
I followed this from the original HN post. I must say that when I read today's update I felt saddened. I don't think this was a publicity stunt of any kind, and that the author really was afflicted with a disease that ultimately took his life. Well worth reading through to see how looming death affects the human psyche.