Police looking into JK Rowling death threats, author confirms

JK Rowling has confirmed that she's been in contact with police over death threats made to her on Twitter.

On Friday, the Harry Potter author, 57, took to her platform - where she has 13.9 million followers - to share her horror at the news that fellow novelist Salman Rushdie had been stabbed in the neck at an event in New York City.

"Horrifying news," she tweeted alongside an Associated Press article about the stabbing.

She continued: "Feeling very sick right now. Let him be ok."

Rowling later returned to the platform to share a screenshot of a threatening tweet she received in response to her own tweet wishing Rushdie well.

A user with the handle @MeerAsifAziz1 wrote: "Don't worry you are next."

Along with the screenshot, Rowling tagged @TwitterSupport and asked for assistance in dealing with the sinister post.

She then revealed in a follow-up tweet that police are investigating the matter.

The Fantastic Beasts author wrote: "To all sending supportive messages: thank you. Police are involved (were already involved on other threats)."

Warner Bros. Discovery has since condemned the threatening language that Rowling has been forced to deal with in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.

The statement read: "Warner Bros. Discovery strongly condemns the threats made against JK Rowling. We stand with her and all the authors, storytellers and creators who bravely express their creativity and opinions.

"WBD believes in freedom of expression, peaceful discourse and supporting those who offer their views in the public arena. Our thoughts are with Sir Salman Rushdie and his family following the senseless act of violence in New York.

"The company strongly condemns any form of threat, violence or intimidation when opinions, beliefs and thoughts might differ."

Earlier on Friday, Rushdie was airlifted to hospital after a man rushed the stage as he was about to deliver a lecture at the Chautauqua Institution, BBC News reported at the time.

Credit: London Entertainment / Alamy

The 75-year-old writer underwent hours of surgery and was taken off a ventilator the following day. He has long received death threats after penning a controversial book in 1988, titled The Satanic Verses.

A suspect has since been named as 24-year-old Hadi Matar. He denies attempted murder.

Featured image credit: Doug Peters / Alamy