Murder stands as the oldest crime known to humanity, yet certain murders resonate far beyond their immediate sorrow. The assassination of public figures, cultural icons, or political leaders sends shockwaves throughout entire nations.
Investigating these crimes is seldom straightforward. It intertwines forensic science, political implications, and, at times, years of ambiguity.
In this piece, we take a closer look at 14 of the most notable murders and assassinations from the last century, ranging from the gunfire that ignited World War I to the recent incidents involving a young woman fatally stabbed on a train and a political activist targeted by a sniper.
For each case, we delve into the events that transpired, how investigators sought justice, and the enduring lessons learned.
1. Archduke Franz Ferdinand (1914)
On June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary and his wife Sophie were killed in Sarajevo. The assassin, Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb nationalist, was apprehended at the scene.
Princip was put on trial but was too young for the death penalty at 19. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison and died in 1918.
This assassination sparked the July Crisis and led to World War I. Historian Christopher Clark referred to it as “the shot heard round the world” – not for its sound, but for its worldwide impact.
2. John F. Kennedy (1963)
Few assassinations are as famous, or as debated, as that of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas on November 22, 1963. Shots fired from the Texas School Book Depository fatally hit the president as he traveled in a motorcade.
The Warren Commission determined that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. However, later investigations raised questions, with a 1979 congressional report indicating a “high probability” of a second shooter.
Even now, declassified documents and conspiracy theories keep the discussion ongoing.
“I want them to see what they have done to Jack.” – Jacqueline Kennedy, who refused to change her bloodstained dress that day.
3. Martin Luther King Jr. (1968)
On April 4, 1968, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. was shot at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee.
James Earl Ray was arrested, pleaded guilty, and received a 99-year sentence. He later recanted, leading to years of speculation. A civil trial in 1999 even found that a conspiracy was present. Yet, no other suspects were ever charged criminally.
5. Leon Trotsky (1940)
In Mexico, Leon Trotsky, a former Soviet revolutionary, was attacked in his study with an ice-axe by Ramón Mercader, an NKVD agent.
Mercader was quickly arrested, given a 20-year sentence in Mexico, and later honored by the Soviet Union.
6. Olof Palme (1986)
Prime Minister Olof Palme was shot on a street in Stockholm after leaving a cinema. A massive murder investigation ensued, with thousands of suspects interrogated.
In 2020, prosecutors identified Stig Engström, a graphic designer, as the probable murderer, but the case was closed since Engström had passed away in 2000. For many Swedes, finding closure is still a challenge.
7. Yitzhak Rabin (1995)
Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was shot after a peace rally in Tel Aviv on November 4, 1995.
The shooter, Yigal Amir, an ultranationalist against peace with Palestinians, was apprehended on the spot. He was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment, and he remains in jail. This assassination disrupted the progress of the Israeli–Palestinian peace process.
8. Alexander Litvinenko (2006)
In London, former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko became seriously ill after consuming polonium-210, a rare radioactive substance.
British investigators followed radiation traces across various locations in London, connecting the poisoning to Russian agents.
A 2016 UK inquiry determined that the murder was “probably approved” by Russian officials. This case was one of the most intricate forensic investigations in recent history.
9. Tupac Shakur (1996)
The rap legend was shot in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas on September 7, 1996, and died six days later.
Despite numerous suspects and theories, no one was ever found guilty. Gang rivalries and supposed police errors left the case unsolved, fueling years of speculation.
10. The Notorious B.I.G. (1997)
Christopher Wallace, known as Biggie Smalls, was murdered in Los Angeles in March 1997.
Similar to Tupac’s case, this murder remains officially unsolved, although lawsuits and documentaries have linked it to corrupt LAPD officers and gang ties. These two unresolved murders are significant tragedies in 1990s hip-hop.
11. Sharon Tate and the Manson Murders (1969)
Actress Sharon Tate, who was pregnant at the time, along with four others, was killed by members of Charles Manson’s cult in Los Angeles.
Manson and his followers were arrested, tried, and found guilty. The case, known as “Helter Skelter,” became a cultural representation of the dark shift in the 1960s and instilled a lasting fear of cult violence.
12. Benazir Bhutto (2007)
On December 27, 2007, former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto, was killed during a rally in Rawalpindi, shot and then caught in an explosion.
Investigation & outcome: Several suspects were taken into custody, but the investigation faced challenges due to political turmoil.
The UN Commission of Inquiry criticized the Pakistani government for not safeguarding Bhutto. The case is still politically sensitive and only partially resolved.
13. Iryna Zarutska (2025)
On August 22, 2025, 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee, was fatally stabbed on a light-rail train in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Surveillance footage and witness testimonies led to the quick arrest of Decarlos Brown Jr. State murder charges were filed, and federal prosecutors later added charges, indicating a desire for the toughest penalties.
The case sparked renewed discussions about repeat offenders and safety in public transit.
14. Charlie Kirk (2025)
On September 10, 2025, conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was shot dead while speaking at Utah Valley University. A sniper fired from a rooftop close to the event.
The FBI and local law enforcement initiated a large-scale manhunt. A weapon was found, hundreds of interviews were conducted, and footage of a person of interest was released.
As of now, the suspect is still at large, keeping the case open and the nation anxious about political violence.
Patterns and Lessons from Various Cases
- Technology influences results. From basic ballistics in 1914 to polonium tracing in 2006 and surveillance videos in 2025, improvements in forensic science keep changing how investigations are conducted.
- Politics makes justice more complex. The assassinations of leaders like Kennedy, Rabin, Bhutto, and Kirk often lead to conspiracy theories, political pressure, and at times, official cover-ups.
- Not every case concludes with resolution. The cases of Tupac, Biggie, and Palme illustrate that even extensive investigations can remain unsolved for many years.
- Public interest speeds up arrests. Recent cases such as Zarutska’s demonstrate how viral videos and national media can hasten justice – although the outcomes of trials still require time.
Suggested Reading & Viewing
- The Guns of August by Barbara Tuchman (provides context on Franz Ferdinand).
- Reclaiming History by Vincent Bugliosi (discusses JFK).
- Killing the Dream by Gerald Posner (focuses on MLK).
- Helter Skelter by Vincent Bugliosi and Curt Gentry (covers the Manson murders).
- UK House of Commons “Litvinenko Inquiry” report (2016).
- Documentaries: The Fog of War (Robert McNamara discusses the JFK era), Biggie & Tupac (by Nick Broomfield), Benazir Bhutto: Daughter of Destiny.
Each murder listed here took more than one life; they robbed futures, disrupted nations, and changed the course of history.
Investigations reveal not only how killers were apprehended but also how societies dealt with grief, conspiracy, and at times, the failure of justice.
The latest cases remind us that political violence and senseless murders are not just things of the past. They are still part of our current reality, and compel us to continually ask: how can we safeguard both leaders and everyday individuals, without giving up the freedoms that make life worth defending?