According to two unnamed law enforcement officials involved in the investigation of Brian Thompson’s murder, Luigi Mangione had a notebook that detailed plans for the shooting with him.
According to the officials, the notebook described going to a “bean counter” conference and killing an executive. The book was reported as saying “What do you do? You wack the CEO at the annual parasitic bean-counter convention. It’s targeted, precise, and doesn’t risk innocents,” underscoring the deliberate nature of the act.
Brian Thompson Murder and Arrest
The shooting occurred early Dec. 4 as Mr. Thompson arrived at a Hilton hotel on West 54th Street to prepare for a UnitedHealthcare investors’ day gathering.
Thompson, a 48-year-old senior executive at UnitedHealthcare, was known for his role in spearheading the company’s expansion into cost-containment strategies and digitization of healthcare services. His leadership was widely seen as part of the industry’s broader shift toward data-driven decision-making, which has faced criticism from both healthcare providers and policy advocates.
Critics have accused large insurance firms like UnitedHealthcare of prioritizing profits over patient care, often using opaque algorithms to deny claims or delay payments. This backdrop has fueled growing resentment against insurance executives in general, which may have contributed to the suspect’s anti-corporate rhetoric.
The prime suspect, Luigi Mangione, 26, was later captured after a tip from an employee at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pa. who was alerted by a customer who recognized him. His capture ended a 48-hour manhunt that spanned multiple states, with authorities issuing a “be on the lookout” advisory across the East Coast.
The suspect was found with a ghost gun, a suppressor, and false identification cards similar to those believed to have been used by the killer, officials said. The ghost gun—a firearm assembled from parts and lacking a serial number—has become a growing concern for law enforcement due to its untraceability.
In addition to the false identification cards, Mangione was carrying identification with his real name, leading officials to believe he was prepared for multiple contingencies.
The authorities also found a 262-word handwritten note with him, which begins by appearing to take responsibility for the murder. The note, which officials described as a manifesto, also mentioned the existence of a notebook.
This manifesto reportedly outlined grievances against “parasitic” insurance executives and referenced past incidents of corporate malfeasance, which may have fueled Mangione’s actions.
Mangione currently faces extradition to New York for trial, where he is expected to face charges of first-degree murder and possession of illegal firearms. Legal experts say that, given the premeditated nature of the crime, he could face life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
His case has reignited public discourse around executive accountability, mental health, and the growing threats posed by ghost guns in the U.S.
