noun, expression
unnatural death; violent death
A fixed expression referring to a death that is not natural, such as from accident, murder, or disaster. Often used in literary or dramatic contexts. Compare with 非業の死, which is more common.
See also: 非業の死
彼は非業の最期を遂げた。
He met an unnatural death.
More common synonym with the same meaning; 非業の最期 is a less frequent variant.
Compound of 非業 (unnatural, untimely) + の + 最期 (last moments, death). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the phrase is conventionally associated with a death that is not from natural causes.