Well, the more I look at everything that has transpired, the more I think Astrohole is under the influence of narcotics. The long disappearances, inconsistent messages, the edginess, the memory lapses, and most of all, the failed exit. How in the hell do you leave multiple guys with uncollected funds just sitting out there? He even fucked that up.
I also really do believe that he intended to make a come back this last time with the "mom died" story (and hell, she really may have passed). I think he thought he could pull off a comeback - but then after he saw just how many guys were demanding replacements, and how badly the sentiment had turned against him here, and how many failed labmaxes were out there, he just gave up hope of restarting.
I also believe he will be back under a different name eventually. I also predict that we'll sniff him out pretty damned quick when he resurfaces.