ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (CNN) -- The United States knows that the leader of Pakistan's Taliban is dead because he has not appeared in public to prove that he is alive, the top U.S. envoy to the region told CNN on Monday. 

Baitullah Mehsud, right, and a bodyguard arrive at a meeting in South Waziristan, Pakistan, in 2004. 

Richard Holbrooke said that the Pakistani Taliban have not confirmed the death of Baitullah Mehsud because of an ongoing power struggle over his successor. 

"The reason it's clear he's dead is that if he weren't dead, he'd be giving TV and radio interviews to prove he's not dead," Holbrooke told CNN's Cal Perry. 

Mehsud rarely gave news conferences or appeared before the media. There has been conflicting information from the Pakistani Taliban about whether Mehsud died in a suspected U.S. missile strike earlier this month. Watch Holbrooke say Mehsud is dead » 

Last week, Pakistani Taliban spokesman Maulvi Umar told CNN that Mehsud is alive, but ill, and will speak to reporters when he feels better. 

Other media reports have quoted another spokesman for the group as saying Mehsud is dead and a mourning period is underway. 

U.S. and Pakistani government officials have said they are confident that Mehsud was killed in the August 5 strike. 

DNA tests were reportedly being conducted to back up those claims, but U.S. officials have expressed doubt that enough genetic material would be left behind, considering the enormity of the strike. 

Holbrooke said Mehsud's death has sparked "a succession crisis" among the Pakistani Taliban. 
Who is known to have died?
How do they know?
Has the death been confirmed?
Why not?
What was the leader's name?
When was Mehsud allegedly killed?
How is the government testing the claim?
Does the government think they'll be successful?
Why not?
Does anyone claim Mehsud isn't dead?
Who?
Who is he?
What does Umar say about Mehsud?
Did Mehsud often go on tv?
How did he allegedly die?
What's the name of the U.S. envoy making the claim?
What does he say the death has caused?
Does any other Taliban spokesman disagree with Umar?
Who?
What does the other spokesman say?
the leader of Pakistan's Taliban
The United States knows that the leader of Pakistan's Taliban is dead
because he has not appeared in public to prove that he is alive
the leader of Pakistan's Taliban is dead because he has not appeared in public to prove that he is alive
No
Richard Holbrooke said that the Pakistani Taliban have not confirmed the death of Baitullah Mehsud
because of an ongoing power struggle over his successor
the Pakistani Taliban have not confirmed the death of Baitullah Mehsud because of an ongoing power struggle over his successor
Baitullah Mehsud
Richard Holbrooke said that the Pakistani Taliban have not confirmed the death of Baitullah Mehsud
August 5
U.S. and Pakistani government officials have said they are confident that Mehsud was killed in the August 5 strike.
DNA tests
DNA tests were reportedly being conducted to back up those claims
No
but U.S. officials have expressed doubt that enough genetic material would be left behind
not enough genetic material would be left behind
but U.S. officials have expressed doubt that enough genetic material would be left behind, considering the enormity of the strike. 
Yes
Pakistani Taliban spokesman Maulvi Umar told CNN that Mehsud is alive
Maulvi Umar
Pakistani Taliban spokesman Maulvi Umar told CNN that Mehsud is alive
a spokesman for the Pakistani Taliban
Pakistani Taliban spokesman Maulvi Umar
he is alive, but ill
Maulvi Umar told CNN that Mehsud is alive, but ill, and will speak to reporters when he feels better
No
Mehsud rarely gave news conferences or appeared before the media. 
in a U.S. missile strike
Mehsud died in a suspected U.S. missile strike earlier this month.
Richard Holbrooke
Richard Holbrooke said that the Pakistani Taliban have not confirmed the death of Baitullah Mehsud because of an ongoing power struggle over his successor. 
a succession crisis
Holbrooke said Mehsud's death has sparked "a succession crisis" among the Pakistani Taliban. 
Yes
Other media reports have quoted another spokesman for the group as saying Mehsud is dead and a mourning period is underway. 
unknown
unknown
Mehsud is dead and a mourning period is underway
quoted another spokesman for the group as saying Mehsud is dead and a mourning period is underway