The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word FATALITY
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
F
A
T
A
L
I
T
Y
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "death" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case death = fatality.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does FATALITY mean?
FATALITY noun- The state proceeding from destiny; invincible necessity, superior to, and independent of, free and rational control.
- Tendency to death, destruction or danger, as if by decree of fate.
- That which is decreed by fate or which is fatal; a fatal event.
- Death.
- An accident that causes death.
- A person killed.
- A move where one character kills another.