Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-11459178-20140318011321/@comment-9232373-20140402194159

Gusey1397 wrote: The writers have confirmed that Neal is actually dead and will only return in flsahbacks.

Source: http://www.tvguide.com/News/Once-Upon-Time-Death-Spoilers-1079832.aspx

This from the same writers who told us "We promise you, every question on Lost WILL be answered."