As a Brazilian, this makes me wonder what would be the equivalent terms in Portuguese, because "murder" translates to "assassinato" and "assassination" also translates to "assassinato".
Isn't "homicídio" more like a broad term which includes unintentional deaths (which we'd call as "homicídio culposo")?
Both of the terms "murder" and "assassination" imply intention, with the intention behind an "assassination" being a political/ideological one rather than the intention behind a "murder" (which would be more personally-oriented intentional homicide).
My question is because I can't remember of a Portuguese term that carries a political/ideological sense when referring someone killing another. Portuguese-speaking media outlets here in Brazil often use "morte" e "assassinato" interchangeably, even though "morte" is an even-broader term referring to "death".
Perhaps the Brazilian media lacks an equivalent word, too. "Globo" (one of the major media outlets here), for example, is using the term "assassinato":
Even UOL, another major media outlet which is said to be more left-leaning, is also using the term "assassinato":
So, as the OP said, these headlines, especially in Portuguese, "makes it sound unwarranted".
I don't think it matters. Both terms have their strengths. Using the term "assassinated" elevates the victim, which works to justify the unequal allocation of resources for investigation of a rich guy's death.
Also the term "murder" doesn't imply justification, only that you killed someone on purpose.
Using the term "assassinated" elevates the victim,
More than his role has been? Assassinated puts questions on why high-level figures like him get targeted, and these questions are uncomfortable, to say the least