Authorities have uncovered significant evidence tying Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old Maryland native, to the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Midtown Manhattan on December 4. Fingerprints recovered from the crime scene reportedly match those taken from Mangione after his arrest, according to law enforcement sources.
Thompson, 50, was fatally shot outside the New York Hilton Midtown hotel, where he was scheduled to attend a corporate investor meeting. The high-profile killing has shaken the business world, as Thompson was a prominent figure leading one of the nation's largest health insurers.
Police sources revealed that a partial fingerprint was recovered from a discarded water bottle near the crime scene. The print appears to match Mangione's, strengthening the forensic connection to the crime. Additionally, a notebook found in Mangione's possession allegedly contains detailed plans targeting Thompson.
"What do you do? You whack the CEO at the annual parasitic bean-counter convention," reads one entry in the notebook, according to officials. Another passage references the Unabomber but expresses concerns about harming bystanders, stating that using explosives could "risk innocents."
Mangione was apprehended on December 9 at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania, after an employee recognized him and alerted police. At the time of his arrest, Mangione was found carrying a 9mm "ghost gun," fake IDs, and a three-page manifesto critical of the health insurance industry.
In writings addressed to federal authorities, Mangione apologized for his actions but claimed they were necessary. "These parasites simply had it coming," he allegedly wrote, referencing grievances with the U.S. healthcare system.
Mangione, a University of Pennsylvania graduate with degrees in computer science, is described by acquaintances as a highly intelligent individual whose behavior became increasingly erratic in recent years. A missing persons report was filed by his mother in November after family members lost contact with him.
His defense attorney, Thomas Dickey, maintains that there is no direct evidence linking Mangione to Thompson's murder. "I have not been made aware of any evidence that links the gun that was found on his person to the crime," Dickey said during an interview with Good Morning America. "These are things we're looking to see. We're looking forward to beginning our inquiry as to what evidence may or may not be out there."
Dickey also criticized premature conclusions drawn from Mangione's writings, cautioning against taking isolated excerpts out of context. "People put out certain things, parts of different things," he said. "I think any lawyer involved in this situation would want to see it all."
Mangione faces second-degree murder, firearm possession, and forgery charges in New York. He also faces charges in Pennsylvania for carrying an unregistered weapon and using a fake ID. Arraigned in Altoona, he was denied bail and plans to fight extradition to New York.
Thompson's murder stunned the public due to its deliberate and targeted nature. Bullet casings found at the scene bore inscriptions such as "deny," "defend," and "depose," phrases often associated with criticisms of the health insurance industry's handling of claims.
The Manhattan District Attorney's Office has vowed to pursue extradition aggressively. New York Governor Kathy Hochul said in a statement that she'll sign a request for the governor's warrant "to ensure this individual is tried and held accountable."
