When general events move an NPC to a specific location, and that NPC is related to a detective not in play, should I handle it as already been eliminated?

The NPC is still used. The rulebook isnt exactly clear on this. At the start of the game, all NPC tokens should be taken out and put by the side of the board for use by the events.

The implication is there that the NPCs remain even if their respective Detective is out of the game. But I have sent an email to Kevin just to be sure. I can see it going either way.