There may be some instances where hanging someone may be a good deterrent, when it's done where others can see the results. And perhaps a slow hanging where a person's toes can barely touch the ground may be a proper death for a traitor. But of course, if death is the only objective, and optics or torture is not necessary, then pretty much any heavy object will suffice.
Hanging can also be made to look like a suicide. My dear cousin Sara was murdered this way by her husband.
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