User blog comment:Llama919/Possible Beast Titan Identity?/@comment-5774380-20150618200119/@comment-26509561-20150619211034

Even if appearance is the only support on this theory, the appearance of the burn mark isn't exactly what you would call a "common coincidence"

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I understand and i have taken this into account, there are differences i know there are... but this cant be entirely coincidental. And i am aware the candle fire is not touching his arm, but it is definitely close and just moments before they put something alight. And also the candle being so close to his face in a relatively dark area does emphasize his facial features. As a matter of fact most places where i see his face it seems as if he is commonly illustrated in light to dark places, not to mention the reference photo looks like the earlier stages of his character design, as we see his beard is not nearly as detailed, so facial features like wrinkles could have also not have been included in the initial design. We do get a clearer angle on him however, but i see more details in the image taken from the chapter.

Even if the beast titan is not really Erwin's Father, the way his death was presented by the military was rather too brief to be believed when they use the word "apparently" so i do believe he is somewhat alive.