The season 5 finale of The Vampire Diaries showed Damon Salvatore (Ian Somerhalder) fade away into nothingness with Bonnie Bennett (Katie Graham). Is there a possibility that the vampire will return in the upcoming sixth season?

Based on the past five seasons of The Vampire Diaries, fans have learned how uncertainty and surprises come often like snowfall during winter. This is why there is much speculation about the future (or lack thereof) of Damon Salvatore after he is seen perished at the end of season 5. Along with Bonnie Bennett, Damon is presumed dead by the viewers, and the actor who plays him posted a confirmation in his Instagram account.

Somerhalder snapped a photo of a tombstone with the name "Damon" carved on it.

"Rest in Peace Damon Salvatore. #GameOver :(," wrote the actor as the caption that went along with the photo. Though fans are protesting and claiming this gesture as a bad joke, the show's producer spoke to Entertainment Weekly and suggested that Damon and Bonnie are indeed gone.

"Some are in denial, some are still searching for answers," said Plec to Entertainment Weekly, as reported by BreatheCast. Plec went on to continue that though Damon and Bonnie will appear in the sixth season, whether they're alive or dead is still uncertain. Plec also spoke about Stefan's character development in the next season, and reveals that it will be a "defining journey."

"It's really a character-defining journey for Stefan and it'll change him quite a lot. At what point does he decide to give up or keep searching for answers?" quipped the producer in the same interview.