Luigi Mangione Case: A Healthcare Murder That Divided America

The Arrest and Charges

Luigi Mangione, 26, is accused of killing Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, who was shot and killed in New York City on December 4, 2024. Following a nationwide manhunt, Mangione was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania, five days after the shooting.

He has been indicted on eleven state charges and four federal charges, including first-degree murder, murder in furtherance of terrorism, criminal possession of a weapon, and stalking. Federal prosecutors are pursuing the death penalty in his federal case.

Evidence and Investigation

According to New York’s police commissioner Jessica Tisch, Mangione’s fingerprints matched those found on a water bottle and protein bar near the crime scene – the first forensic evidence linking him to the area. A gun found on Mangione after his arrest matches shell casings found at the shooting scene.

Motivation and Public Response

Investigators believe Mangione was motivated by anger at what he called “parasitic” health insurance companies and corporate greed. A manifesto found on him during his arrest discussed how the U.S. has the most expensive healthcare system globally while life expectancy fails to keep pace with rising corporate profits.

Rolling Stone has described Mangione as the “most debated and polarizing murder suspect in recent history.” He has been celebrated as a folk hero by supporters. Opinion polls show that American adults are more likely to hold a negative view toward Mangione, though younger and more liberal respondents tend to view him more favorably.

Legal Proceedings

Mangione was extradited to New York City on December 19, 2024, and charged with four federal crimes. He pleaded not guilty to his state charges on December 23, and was formally indicted on federal charges on April 17, 2025.

Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro stated, “In America, we do not kill people in cold blood to resolve policy differences or express a viewpoint,” noting that “in some dark corners, this killer is being hailed as a hero.”