The Gift of Fear: Survival Signals That Protect Us from Violence

The media exacerbates the assassination of public figures with attention. Individuals who lack exceptional traits and accomplishments sometimes seek notoriety through murder—especially that of someone with the recognition they desire. Assassins often evolve from obsessed fans to enemies to assassins when the object of their fascination fails to respond favorably. To them, the desire to be linked to a specific target justifies taking their life. This obsession is an accurate PIN, due to its history: Predictions are important, particularly in cases involving politicians, because successful assassinations have cultural impact. Should one individual challenge democracy, the very idea of national security becomes questionable. Assassinations increase in the aftermath of such attacks, as like-minded individuals become encouraged at the thought of gaining similar notoriety. Thus, de Becker believes changing the media’s treatment of assassins could prevent further attacks. He instructs news outlets to frame assassins as unnamed, disturbed people, not figures worthy of fear and awe.

In 1983, de Becker was alerted to a multiple homicide at the home of one of several stalkers monitored by his security firm. He escorted his friend and client, famous singer and actress Olivia Newton-John, to a safehouse, as her stalker was the likely perpetrator. For weeks, his team and law enforcement officers from across the country searched for the perpetrator.