The delay in the release date of 'Winds of Winter' has some fans thinking that Tyrion Lannister and Arya Stark may be killed off, which would fit George R. R. Martin's habit of getting rid of major characters.

Richard Vale, who is a Statistician used what he refers to as Bayesian prediction to discover who among the major characters in 'Winds of Winter' book, will be killed, as the date for release remains unknown.

His abstract states "Forecasts are made for the chapters told from each character's opinion in A Song of Ice and Fire series which are the next two novels from George R. R. Martin."

According to his predictions, some characters do not have a high chance of getting chapters, such as Arya Stark, Aeron Greyjoy, Tyrion Lannister and Melisander.

"We know for sure that Tyrion Lannister and Arya Stark will get chapters in Winds of Winter because there is the 'Mercy' chapter for Arya which we have read and Tyrion's chapter in 'Battle of Mereen' which we have seen, where he appears with Jorah Mormont and the Second Sons," quotes iDigital Times.

It added, 'the two characters are a favorite for fans, which does not guarantee their safety, but it signifies that they will at least have chapters in 'Winds of Winter before they are killed off.'

However, other sources say that since Arya Stark has a whole chapter dedicated to her, one in which she is not killed, she will most likely remain alive for more of the story.