Sauron's lack of Death...

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Hookbill the Goomba

There seems to be a very personal angle to killing in the book, I've noticed. Those who the main characters kill are done so in close proximity. Gandalf's main point to Frodo is that he has not 'seen' Gollum. And when Frodo does, he has much more pity for him and spares his life. Whenever there is death in the story, they at least see the victim, it seems.

Basically, you're wondering why Sauron's 'death' is given such an impersonal glimpse, as opposed to other deaths we see in the books?
Realistically, it could hardly have been otherwise, in the confines of the story. During the Second Age, the Last Alliance was powerful enough to break into Mordor by force, and eventually lay siege to the Barad-dûr itself. A confrontation between Sauron and the leaders of his enemies, Elendil and Gil-Galad, followed. Personal combat was joined, and the Ring was cut from Sauron's finger, etc.
In the Third Age the West had no power to act against Sauron in that manner. They could not even defend their fortresses from him indefinitely, much less launch a serious attack on him. He does no personal fighting, and is never even seen by any of the main actors of the story. Seeing his de-bodiment at a distance was the best they could do.