Luigi Mangione shockingly admitted to killing UnitedHealthcare executive Brian Thompson in New York City in 2024 as he pleaded guilty to federal stalking charges - and revealed new details on how he carried out his plan.
Mangione told the court how he had reached out to UnitedHealthcare via email and posed as an investor with $50 million to learn the location of the conference that Thompson would attend.
"I then researched the event online. I observed the annual conference of America's largest healthcare organization with the stated mission to make the healthcare system better for everyone," Mangione, who said he suffered from years of back pain, told the federal judge in a Manhattan courtroom Friday.
“I emailed UnitedHealthcare with the intent to shoot Brian Thompson,” Mangione added. “Unlike my previous interactions with insurers, I received an immediate response within an hour.”
It was then, around 6:45 a.m. on December 4, 2024, that Mangione lay in wait. When he saw Thompson walking down a Midtown Manhattan street to the conference, Mangione emerged and fired on the CEO.
“I shot Mr. Thompson in Manhattan,” Mangione said. “I understood that my actions would place him in fear of death or bodily injury. I knew what I was doing was illegal.”
Mangione described how he carried out the execution near a Hilton hotel. He fled immediately after the attack and sparked a nationwide manhunt. Days later, in Pennsylvania, Mangione was spotted at a McDonald’s and arrested.
The case immediately drew attention for its connection to America’s health care system with some defending Mangione.
He was arrested and brought back to New York where he was charged with both state and federal crimes.
On Friday, Mangione pleaded guilty to two federal stalking charges resulting in death. He is set to face sentencing on December 18, with each count carrying a minimum sentence of 25 years in prison. He is set to face state charges in about a month, but his defense team has argued those should be dismissed and double jeopardy applied.
Mangione, a University of Pennsylvania graduate, told the court he had used a 3-D printed gun to kill Thompson. Police later recovered what they described as a “ghost” gun that was used in the shooting.
In his statement, the killer said he had endured years of back pain from an injury while navigating the insurance system.
After the shooting, bullet casings found at the scene reportedly had the words “deny,” “delay,” and “depose” written on them, referencing an alleged tactic used by insurance companies to deny claims. Police also discovered a notebook expressing Mangione’s disapproval of the healthcare system.
Some polls showed that a notable share of younger Americans viewed the killing as acceptable, reflecting broader anger at the insurance industry. Many others condemned what they saw as the celebration of the death of Thompson, a husband and father of two.
Karen Friedman Agnifilo, Mangione’s attorney, addressed those health care concerns as she spoke after the hearing.
“As Luigi explained in court today, he endured years of severe debilitating pain following a broken back while struggling to navigate our healthcare and health insurance systems,” she said.
Thompson’s family released a statement after the plea, describing it as “an important step toward justice for Brian and for our family.”
“While nothing will ease the pain of losing him, we are grateful that the federal justice system has held the person responsible for this heinous act accountable,” the statement said. “Now we look to the court to ensure that sentencing reflects the severity of this crime.”
