From a classical utilitarian perspective, yeah, it’s pretty much a wash, at least relative to non-fatal crimes that cause similar suffering.
However, around here, “utilitarian” is usually meant as “consistent consequentialism.” In that frame we can appeal to motives like “I don’t want to live in a society with lots of murder, so it’s extra bad.”
From a classical utilitarian perspective, yeah, it’s pretty much a wash, at least relative to non-fatal crimes that cause similar suffering.
However, around here, “utilitarian” is usually meant as “consistent consequentialism.” In that frame we can appeal to motives like “I don’t want to live in a society with lots of murder, so it’s extra bad.”