Completely wrong solution. Whirlwind is not a community service. It is centralized, there is an owner who invests money, who at some point will take the profit (only for himself, and any campaign is just a marketing expense). It should also take responsibility for management and decision-making.
Transferring a "controversial" decision to the community is actually running away from responsibility, which is not a good way of running a business.
I agree, Whirlwind should make a decision in cases such as these and set a precedent but all the while keeping the option open for exceptional circumstances. This matter (it appears) is not an exceptional circumstance in their view otherwise Whirlwind would probably have settled it by now.
Ignoring and avoiding giving an answer is also a very bad approach. Obviously, in this case, stormbounty wants a direct answer from the service itself, not from the members of the forum.
Information is very important, even negative information is still information and users can plan the next steps based on it. This is how the drama drags on indefinitely and it seems that it can last for months.
An answer was given.
Lost the key = lost the coins; UNLESS the community thinks otherwise.
That is about it with not much more to add because he lost his private key of his own volition no matter what he alleges happened and to cover that aspect Whirlwind have suggested community consensus.
Maybe
stormbounty should consider accepting the loss and move forward with his life.