dead or dying or molting, help please

[jasonmom]

I don't know if my small PP is dead / dying / or molting? Slick is in the corner, he is out of his shell (but he's streaked before), and I haven't seen him move all day. He doesn't move when I poke him (I've only done it once this am then again once this pm). He looks lighter color. He's not hard or anything yet. I just thought they smelled bad soon after they died. I took the lid off this am and again this pm and I don't smell anything . I remember reading a post where someone was afraid that they had buried a crab that wasn't dead . I don't want to do that.

Is there any way I can be positive he's dead ?

[Wai]

You can only be sure that he is dead if his abdomen is still attached to his body and if it starts darkening in colour due to decomposition.

[jasonmom]

I forgot to come back and post. Slick did die. I couldn't smell him by just taking the lid off, but when I went ahead and picked him up and by the smell there was no doubt.

[Nia]

Aw I am so sorry for your loss