JKR's FAQ - Sirius (spoilers)

[Hannah]

No: HPFGUIDX 114830


Moonmysst wrote:
I want to see for myself if DD ever says "Sirius is dead".  I still 
cannot bring to mind those exact words.  I keep thinking that he 
says "Sirius is gone" and things like that.  I am probably wrong but 
am going to listen closely.
>  
>  
Hannah: DD does say it.  Once when he says 'it is my fault Sirius 
*died*' (p727 OotP UK Hardback) (emphasis mine), once when Phineas 
Nigellus asks if Sirius is dead, and DD says 'yes' (p728 OotP UK 
hardback).  He also talks about Sirius in the past tense throughout 
this scene.  Pretty unequivocal in my mind.  But then I'm sure some 
people will argue DD is wrong/ lying, which is of course possible.
Hannah