Who can say for sure? Our government is notorious for lying to its people. The capture, death, and burial at sea of Qaddafi happened just a little too fast for comfort.
Articles about the activity surrounding these events suggest that the only witnesses were government and military people. Is it possible that Qaddafi is still alive, and is he being kept alive and tortured for information much as the prisoners at Abu Ghraib?
After all, what benefit would have been derived from killing Qaddafi? Think of the greater benefit gained from the information that he could provide.
Of course, the public will probably never know what really happened to Qaddafi. Unlike the "Man in the Iron Mask", Qaddafi will not suddenly appear again in public whether he is alive or not.
If he is alive, he is destined to live out his days in dark and secret captivity, probably suffering near death torture on a frequent if not daily basis.
If this discussion sounds cold, it is because I feel a little safer with him where ever he is.
The world seems to be full of men like Qaddafi who are willing to do absolutely anything to gain money and power. It seems that when one is removed another steps forward to take his place. How many more Gaddafis are there, and when will it end?