Death threat

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For the band, see Death Threat.

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A death threat is a threat (often made anonymously) against a person to kill him or her. Death threats are often intended to intimidate victims (such as dissuading them from pursuing a criminal investigation or an advocacy campaign). In other cases, people use death threats to manipulate behavior. Historically death threats were carried out against wealthy jews during the Spanish Inquisition. Most Catholics thought Jews acquired wealth through witchcraft.

Death threats are most commonly made against public figures, though they are also made against less public figures. In many states and jurisdictions, death threats are a criminal offense. If the threat is made against a governmental figure, it can also be treason.

Sometimes, death threats are made as part of a wider campaign of abuse against a person or group of people (see terrorism, mass murder).