On December 4, 2024, UnitedHealthcare, one of the largest public health insurance companies, made headlines across the country, when their CEO, Brian Thompson, was shot and killed in a hotel in downtown New York City, in what police have described as “a preplanned target attack.” On that morning, Thompson was on his way to speak at a UnitedHealthcare conference, when an unidentified gunman sneaked up behind him and shot in the back and in the head several times.
The unidentified suspect later escaped and evaded law enforcement. The suspect and motive are currently being investigated by the police. CNN reports, “The motive for this murder is currently unknown, but based on the evidence we have so far, it does appear the victim was specifically targeted.”
Police arrested Luigi Mangione, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania. Mangione was found with a gun in his possession at the time of his arrest. His former classmates from UPenn have expressed their shock when it was revealed he was the lead suspect. One of them stated, “I feel like it was cliche, everybody is like, He was a quiet guy but he was even more normal than that.” Luigi Mangione is currently in custody.
While it’s too early to tell what UnitedHealthcare’s future looks like following this devastating tragedy, Thompson was a loving and devoted husband and father. His wife, who has also been receiving death threats, has been stricken by mourning and grief in response to the loss of her husband. His two sons have expressed anger and grief at the death of their father as well.
Following his graduation from high school in 1993, Thompson graduated from the University of Iowa in the Class of 1997. He had a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting. Throughout his high school and college years, he was a star student, athlete, and homecoming king.
Thompson joined UnitedHealthcare in 2004, and after working there for many years, was appointed the Chief Executive in 2021. After his death, his family and friends hosted a funeral for him in his honor, and was laid to rest in his hometown in Minnesota. He dedicated his life to improving healthcare for millions of Americans through his many years of service to UnitedHealthcare and he will be truly missed.
Thompson’s alleged killer, Luigi Mangione, is currently being held without bail. Following his extradition to New York City, he has been charged with first-degree murder, and two counts of second-degree murder. The murder of the UnitedHealthcare CEO has been described as an act of terrorism. So far as his trial goes, he has pleaded not guilty to the murder and the rest of the counts, and the investigation and upcoming trial are pending.