Luigi Mangione Speaks Out After Arrest in Shocking CEO Murder Case!

Luigi Mangione is speaking out on his highly publicized legal battle.

In a recent development, the 26-year-old individual, who was apprehended in December and subsequently indicted for the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson following a fatal shooting, decided to speak out about the case through a post published on his personal website.

In a statement, Mangione expressed his heartfelt appreciation for all those who have reached out to share their personal experiences and show their backing. Remarkably, this support has broken through barriers such as political beliefs, racial differences, and social classes, with mail pouring in from various parts of the United States and beyond.

He went on to say, “Though I’m unable to respond personally to most of the letters, rest assured each and every one is read by me. Once more, my gratitude goes out to those who took the effort to pen a letter. I eagerly anticipate reading more from you all in the time ahead.

Lawyers for the University of Pennsylvania alum—who pled not guilty to murder and terrorism charges in New York, per the BBC—went on to share why the website was launched. 

To address the overwhelming number of questions and show appreciation for the incredible support, this website has been established and managed by Luigi Mangione’s New York legal team. Its purpose is to answer common queries, offer reliable details about his ongoing cases, and clear up any misconceptions.

Last year, Mangione was taken into custody at a McDonald’s restaurant in Pennsylvania and faced accusations concerning the possession of a firearm and counterfeit documents, eventually leading to an indictment on 11 charges in New York. Among these charges was one for first-degree murder.

He is being charged for allegedly killing Thompson, who was 50 years old, by firing gunshots at him outside the New York Hilton Midtown in Manhattan on December 4. The phrases “deny,” “defend,” and “depose” were inscribed on the shotgun shells he reportedly used.

According to Thomas Dickey, who represents Mangione, there’s no evidence suggesting that he is the shooter.

The attorney emphasized to reporters on December 10th that it’s crucial to recall: At the core of American justice lies an assumption of innocence until one is conclusively proven guilty beyond any reasonable doubt. So far, I haven’t found a shred of proof to support the contrary.

On December 4th, he is alleged to have fatally fired shots at Thompson, aged 50, outside the New York Hilton Midtown in Manhattan. The ammunition used in the shotgun reportedly carried the words “deny,” “defend,” and “depose.

According to Thomas Dickey, who represents Mangione, there’s no evidence to suggest that he is the one who pulled the trigger.

The attorney emphasized to reporters on December 10th that it’s crucial to remember: In the American system of justice, there’s an assumption of innocence until there’s solid proof that someone is guilty beyond any reasonable doubt. So far, I haven’t found any evidence supporting the contrary.

Read on for more details on the case.

Previously serving as CEO at UnitedHealthcare since 2021, Brian Thompson had joined the company way back in 2004, holding various positions before ascending to his current role. Before UnitedHealthcare, he worked for PwC, as stated on his LinkedIn profile. A graduate with honors from the University of Iowa in May 1997, where he majored in accounting, this information was confirmed by Steve Schmadeke, the school’s public relations manager, to NBC News.

Thompson resided in Minnesota and was married to Paulette Thompson (according to records reviewed by TopMob News; however, it appears they had been living separately). He was a father of two sons. Tragically, on December 4, 2024, Thompson was fatally shot at the age of 50 in New York City.

At precisely 6:46 a.m. on December 4, 2024, I, as a lifestyle expert reporting this incident, received news of a shooting outside the New York Hilton Midtown hotel. According to NYPD Chief of Detectives, Joseph Kenny, who spoke during a morning media briefing, officers from the Midtown North Precinct were dispatched immediately. Upon arrival at 6:48 a.m., they found gunshot wounds on a man identified as Thompson, with injuries to his back and leg. The CEO was pronounced dead at Mount Sinai West Hospital at 7:12 a.m.

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch revealed during the briefing that the victim was in New York City for an investor conference. She suggested the shooting was not a random act of violence but a pre-meditated, planned attack, with the suspect lying in wait for several minutes before approaching Thompson from behind and firing multiple rounds. Many people passed the suspect without notice, indicating he may have been biding his time for the intended target.

Tisch emphasized that this investigation is a top priority for the NYPD and will not rest until we identify and apprehend the shooter responsible for this targeted attack. The full resources of the New York City Police Department are being deployed in pursuit of justice.

Based on Kenny’s account, the shooter on foot reached the New York Hilton Midtown before Thompson did at around 6:49 a.m., while Thompson was seen walking towards the hotel after leaving another nearby hotel for a UnitedHealth Group investors conference scheduled for 8 a.m. that day. The shooter, ignoring other pedestrians, approached Thompson from behind, fired shots, and then continued walking and shooting before fleeing on foot and later hopping onto an ebike, entering Central Park at Center Drive by 6:48 a.m. During the investigation, three live nine-millimeter rounds and three empty shell casings were found. At a press briefing on Dec. 6, Kenny mentioned that the words “depose,” “delay,” and “deny” were written on one of the shell casings using marker, but the motive behind the shooting is still unknown.

During the press briefing on December 6, Kenny stated that investigators have CCTV footage of the suspect arriving at Port Authority in New York City on November 24. He went on to say that they believe the bus originated in Atlanta and had multiple stops before the suspect got on board, but they’re unsure where exactly he joined the bus.

After arriving at Port Authority, the gunman took a taxi to the area of the Hilton hotel, where he stayed for around 30 minutes before moving to an Upper West Side hostel by taxi. Kenny mentioned that the shooting occurred at the Hilton hotel on the morning of November 25 at 6:44 a.m., after which the gunman had fled the scene.

The suspect was spotted entering Central Park at 60th Street and Central Drive at 6:48 a.m. and exited through W. 77th Street and Central Park West at 6:56 a.m. He was then seen on W. 86th Street without the bike at 7:00 a.m., and four minutes later, he hailed a taxi at 86th Street and Amsterdam Avenue. The gunman was later spotted in the vicinity of the George Washington Bridge at 7:30 a.m. on that same day.

Kenny told CNN on December 6 that investigators initially thought the shooter had left New York City after being seen at Port Authority, but they are now following up on leads to locate him.

During a Dec. 4 press conference, Kenny stated that the suspect seemed to be a man of lighter complexion, who was wearing a jacket in a light brown or cream color, a black face mask, sneakers with black and white patterns, and a very distinctive gray backpack.

In the following days, the NYPD released a sequence of photos of the person they were searching for, with the subject’s face concealed in many instances due to the mask.

On Dec. 5, an NBC News senior law enforcement source revealed that images without the masked face came from surveillance footage captured at an Upper West Side hostel. Additionally, two separate officials informed the outlet that investigators were attempting to ascertain if the individual utilized a false ID and cash for reserving a room at the hostel.

Regarding the reason behind the suspect lowering his mask, Kenny explained at the Dec. 6 press conference that there was an interaction during check-in, which involved casual conversation. At some point, he reportedly pulled down his mask and smiled at the clerk.

Kenny also mentioned that a cellphone was discovered in an alley where the shooter escaped before reaching the ebike, but it’s uncertain if this phone belonged to the gunman. Two law enforcement sources told NBC News that a backpack was also found in Central Park.

Investigators are currently examining all possible leads, including Thompson’s social media activity and interviews with coworkers and family members, as well as collaborating with law enforcement agencies in Minnesota and Atlanta.

On December 9, the Altoona Police Department in Pennsylvania apprehended Luigi Mangione on firearm-related charges. According to a criminal docket obtained by NBC News, these charges include two felonies – one for forgery and one for unlawful possession of a firearm without a license, as well as three misdemeanors: tampering with records or identification, possessing tools used in a crime, and providing false identification to law enforcement.

NYPD Commissioner Tisch stated that a McDonald’s employee recognized Mangione, which prompted the Altoona police to be notified. When asked if he had visited New York recently, Mangione reportedly became quiet and started shaking, according to NBC News.

Tisch also referred to Mangione as a “person of interest” in a murder case and discussed the ongoing search for him, expressing gratitude towards law enforcement partners and the public. She explained that over five days, NYPD investigators scrutinized countless hours of video footage, followed up on numerous tips, processed all available forensic evidence such as DNA, fingerprints, IP addresses, and more to tighten the investigation’s focus. They employed various methods including drones, canine units, scuba divers, technology like Argus cameras, aviation surveys, and traditional detective work to ultimately lead to this arrest. This blend of traditional detective work and modern technology was instrumental in achieving this outcome.

Besides behaving suspiciously, Tisch noted, Mangione was found to possess multiple fake IDs along with an American passport. In further examination, officers discovered a firearm on him, as well as a silencer, which correspond to the weapon used in the murder. They also retrieved clothing items, such as a mask similar to those worn by our suspect, and a fraudulent New Jersey ID that matched the one used by the individual to check into the New York hostel prior to the shooting. Tisch added that officers also found a hand-written note indicating his motive and state of mind.

On December 9th, court documents show that Manhattan prosecutors have accused Mangione of murder. Besides the murder charge, he is also being charged with three weapon-related offenses: two counts for illegally carrying loaded firearms (second-degree), and one count for possessing a silencer (third-degree). Additionally, there’s a charge for having a forged instrument. At this point, Mangione has not yet entered a plea for any of the charges levied against him.

As reported by NBC News, based on NYPD findings, Mangione was found with three short pages of writing totaling under 300 words when he was apprehended. The writings were said to contain phrases like “Frankly these parasites had it coming,” according to senior law enforcement sources.

In his writings, Mangione claimed responsibility for acting alone, but the officials mentioned that they haven’t definitively ruled out other individuals involved in this case yet.

According to NBC News, Mangione addressed the Federal authorities in his writings, expressing respect for their work and stating he would keep the investigation brief as a courtesy. He also declared that he was not working with anyone else.

The officials added that Mangione expressed remorse for any hardship or distress caused, but felt it was necessary.

However, Tisch emphasized that Mangione’s motive is still unconfirmed. During a December 10 interview on Today, she noted that the writings contained anti-corporate sentiments and criticisms of the healthcare industry. She also mentioned that more details about his specific motivation will likely emerge as the investigation progresses in the coming weeks and months.

On December 10th, Mangione attended a court hearing at the Blair County Courthouse in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. Upon his arrival, as reported by NBC News, he expressed to families present that the proceedings were out of touch and an affront to the intelligence of American citizens.

According to the news outlet, Mangione declined extradition to New York and was denied bail. Consequently, he will continue to be held in Pennsylvania’s SCI Huntingdon prison.

His lawyer, Thomas Dickey, communicated with reporters that Mangione plans to plead not guilty in Pennsylvania, and it’s anticipated that the same plea will be made in New York.

Dickey stated, as reported by NBC News, “I haven’t seen any evidence that suggests he is the shooter.” He emphasized the importance of a fundamental principle of American justice: the presumption of innocence, which requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt before someone can be deemed guilty.

Luigi Mangione, who holds degrees from Ivy League universities, stands accused in the murder of Brian Thompson and numerous other charges across Pennsylvania and New York, such as forgery and illegal weapon possession.

As confirmed by NBC News, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in engineering in 2020 and a Master’s degree in engineering from the University of Pennsylvania.

NYPD Chief of Detectives Kenny provided additional background on Mangione, stating that he was born and raised in Maryland. His current address is given as Honolulu, but he also has ties to San Francisco, as shared by NBC News.

Following his arrest, Mangione’s family issued a statement through X, expressing their shock and devastation at the news. They requested prayers for all those involved, including Brian Thompson’s family, and expressed sympathy to them.

Following the news of his death due to gun violence, Brian Thompson’s family expressed their deep sorrow, stating, “We are devastated to learn about the senseless loss of our cherished Brian.” They continued, “Brian was a man filled with love, generosity, and talent who lived life vibrantly and made a profound impact on countless lives. Above all, he was an exceptional father to our two sons, leaving behind a void that will be deeply felt.” The family requested privacy as they navigate this challenging period of grief.

Additionally, Brian’s wife, Paulette, disclosed that he had faced threats before his demise. In an interview with NBC News on December 5, she said, “Yes, there were some threats against him. I am unsure of the specifics, but I believe it may have been due to a lack of attention or coverage surrounding the threats.

The UnitedHealth Group, which is the parent company of UnitedHealthcare, expressed deep sadness and shock upon the death of their close friend, Thompson. As a mark of respect, they have lowered their flags at half-mast at their headquarters in Minnesota.

In a statement on December 4th, the organization stated that Brian was held in high regard by everyone who knew him professionally. They are cooperating with the New York Police Department and ask for understanding during this challenging period. Their sympathies go out to Brian’s family and friends.

On December 5th, they shared that they were moved by the overwhelming show of compassion and support that has poured in since the tragic incident occurred.

The message read, “Countless patients, consumers, healthcare professionals, associations, government officials, and kind-hearted individuals have taken time out of their day to offer condolences.” They are grateful, even as they mourn, because their focus remains on supporting Brian’s family, ensuring employee safety, and working with law enforcement to apprehend the culprit.

They requested privacy for the family during this time of grief and emphasized their commitment to providing healthcare services to those who rely on them.

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2025-02-15 18:24