The investigation into the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has taken a shocking turn, with law enforcement experts raising the possibility of a self-orchestrated assassination. Thompson, 50, was gunned down early Wednesday near the Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan, where UnitedHealthcare was hosting its investor conference.
During an interview with CNN on Friday, Major Neill Franklin, a former Maryland State Police commander, suggested that Thompson may have orchestrated his own death. "There are times when people have orchestrated their own demise for certain reasons," Franklin said. When asked by CNN host Dana Bash if he believed Thompson "hired someone to kill him," Franklin replied, "Absolutely. It cannot be ignored."
Thompson was walking toward the Hilton, dressed in a suit and tie, when the gunman struck. Surveillance footage reviewed by police reportedly showed the shooter lying in wait before fleeing the scene on a bicycle toward Central Park. Emergency responders transported Thompson to Mt. Sinai Hospital, where he was declared dead shortly after 7 a.m.
The NYPD described the incident as "targeted and premeditated," with officials adding that the gunman appeared "proficient with firearms." Investigators found shell casings at the scene inscribed with the words "deny," "defend," and "depose," phrases commonly associated with the insurance industry.
Franklin's comments have drawn attention to past cases where individuals allegedly staged their own deaths. He explained that such actions are sometimes motivated by financial or personal reasons. "Maybe they fear some type of investigation down the road. Maybe they want to leave their family in a good light," Franklin said.
The speculation comes as UnitedHealthcare faces heightened scrutiny. In April, Bloomberg reported that Thompson and other executives sold over $100 million in company stock between October 2023 and February 2024, just before the Department of Justice launched an antitrust investigation into the company's acquisitions. Thompson's stock sales alone totaled $15.1 million, occurring on February 16, shortly before the investigation was publicly disclosed.
The shooting's timing and precision have raised questions. Franklin emphasized the calculated nature of the attack, noting the shooter's apparent familiarity with Thompson's schedule. "This guy knew too much about where he was going to be at a specific time," Franklin said. "When you look at the timeline of him coming to that area outside of the Hilton and where he was outside of the Hilton, it's a very small window, very small window. It's not like he was roaming around."
Thompson's wife, Paulette, told NBC News that her husband had faced threats but provided limited details. "There had been some threats," she said, without elaborating further.
Despite the intensity of the investigation, no arrests have been made as of Friday afternoon. Law enforcement continues to explore all potential motives, though they have not commented directly on Franklin's theory.
