Additional Coverage:
- Mother of suspect in CEO’s killing told police person of interest could be her son, sources say (nbcnews.com)
Suspect’s Family Reported Him Missing Before CEO’s Murder
The family of Luigi Mangione, accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, reported him missing on November 18th. His mother claimed to have last spoken to him in July and believed he was working in San Francisco.
Missing Person Report Leads to Suspect’s Identification
After the shooting, a San Francisco police officer noticed similarities between the surveillance images of the person of interest and Mangione’s missing person photo. The FBI was alerted, and on December 6th, San Francisco police contacted Mangione’s mother, who confirmed that the man in the photo could be her son.
Arrest and Charges
Mangione was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on December 8th. He faces murder charges in New York, where police found a gun linked to the killing and a document referring to the health insurance industry. The casings from the shooting bore the words “deny,” “delay,” and “depose.”
Investigation and Impact
Police believe the killing may have been motivated by Mangione’s anger towards the health insurance industry. The incident has sparked anger and threats against insurance companies, prompting UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty to defend the company’s actions and acknowledge the need for improvements in the US healthcare system.
Suspect’s Current Status
Mangione is jailed in Pennsylvania and is contesting extradition to New York. His family has expressed shock and devastation over his arrest. His attorney has stated that he will plead not guilty to all charges.