Talk:NPC/@comment-2.216.1.156-20111210143412/@comment-122.105.142.222-20111211014230

I'm pretty sure that if an NPC that is bound dies, it will respawn anywhere suitable for it eventually, and you will have to find it again. However, if an unbound NPC has not been designated a home, and it dies, it is likely that you may have to find it again; whereas, if one has been designated a home through the in-game menu, then it will respawn there.

I hope this helped.