Hi,
I came across this assertion on ft.com, it says:
"New Zealand's Sir Edmund Hillary, who along with Nepalese Sherpa Tenzing Norgay became the first to conquer Mount Everest, has died at the age of 88"
Why did they use 'has' instead of the past simple form only?
___________
The present perfect is used to show that his death has importance now, in the present (because he was a famous and heroic person).
You'd only say someone 'has died' if they died quite recently, and if you are announcing it to people who you don't think already know. eg You wouldn't say 'Napoleon has died'.
Best wishes, Clive