murdered

Murdered is the past participle of the verb murder. It functions as an adjective or passive-voice construction to describe a person who has been killed as the result of murder. In ordinary usage, it denotes an unlawful killing carried out with malicious intent, distinct from other forms of death such as accidents or killings in defense or combat.

In many legal systems, murder is defined as the unlawful killing of a human being with malice aforethought, which may include premeditation or a reckless disregard for life. Murder is typically distinguished from manslaughter, which involves lesser mental states or the absence of premeditation. The precise definitions and categories vary by jurisdiction, affecting elements like required mens rea, level of culpability, and penalties.

The word has roots in Old English and related Germanic terms; it has long been used in law, journalism, and literature to convey the seriousness of a killing. In modern usage, “murdered” may appear in headlines, court reporting, and historical accounts, often to emphasize the crime and its impact on victims, families, and communities.