The new Hunt the Truth has just revealed the very reason why the master chief was declared dead… Although it wasn’t directly stated I put two and two together and have found the answer.
The video of Chief’s death… it was a lure for the rebels… Catch them off their guard. While they celebrated the UNSC’s “poster boy’s” death this allowed for an airstrike on them. Fero didn’t know this but I know for certain this ONI’s work.
Those ONI spooks are clever.