Luigi Mangione has been accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a New York City hotel on December 4. Authorities have pieced together substantial evidence linking Mangione to the crime, leading to his arrest and subsequent murder charges.
Pennsylvania police apprehended Mangione on December 9 at a McDonald’s in Altoona after receiving a tip from an employee.
Wearing a blue medical mask, Mangione was reportedly using a laptop when law enforcement arrived.
Upon searching his belongings, police discovered incriminating evidence, including a 3D-printed ghost gun, a matching silencer, a mask resembling that worn by the shooter, a large sum of cash, and a three-page letter expressing his disdain for corporate America.
“I do apologize for any strife or traumas, but it had to be done. Frankly, these parasites simply had it coming,” one line from the letter reportedly read.
In addition, Mangione’s clothing matched the suspect’s outfit captured on surveillance footage. Authorities also linked multiple fake IDs in his possession to the attacker.
Evidence collected by the NYPD further implicated Mangione. Items abandoned at the scene included a backpack in Central Park, a cell phone left at a pedestrian plaza, and wrappers from a Starbucks visit near the crime location. Distinctive bullets used in the shooting bore engravings reading “Deny,” “Defend,” and “Depose.”
Mangione faces charges. In New York, these include murder, two counts of possessing a loaded firearm, possession of a forged instrument, and criminal possession of a weapon. He is expected to be extradited to New York City for prosecution.
In Pennsylvania, additional charges include possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery, and providing false identification. During a Monday hearing, Mangione confirmed his name and multiple previous addresses, including one in Hawaii. He stated he had worked as a data engineer for three years until a year ago and denied using drugs or experiencing mental health issues.
Mangione contested two key points raised by prosecutors. He claimed ignorance of the source of the $8,000 and 2,000 in foreign currency found on him, suggesting it may have been “planted.” He also noted that the bag containing the money was waterproof, implying potential tampering.
Born in Maryland, Luigi hails from a family that purchased a country club near Baltimore in the 1980s. He attended an elite Baltimore prep school, graduating as valedictorian in 2016. By 2020, Mangione had earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in computer science from the University of Pennsylvania.
His cousin, Maryland state legislator Nino Mangione, released a statement on behalf of the family:
“We only know what we have read in the media. Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi’s arrest. We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson, and we ask people to pray for all involved. We are devastated by this news.”
