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Brian Thompson

Brian R. Thompson (c. 1974 – December 4, 2024) was an American business executive who served as chief executive officer of UnitedHealthcare, the health insurance subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group, from April 2021 until his death.^[1] A native of Iowa, Thompson graduated as valedictorian from South Hamilton High School and earned a bachelor's degree in business administration with a focus on accounting from the University of Iowa in 1997, where he received multiple academic honors including Collegiate Scholar and State of Iowa Scholar designations.^[2] He began his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers before joining UnitedHealth Group in 2004, advancing through roles in finance and operations to lead the company's government programs—including Medicare and retiree benefits—prior to his promotion to oversee UnitedHealthcare's operations serving approximately 140,000 employees and millions of policyholders.^[1]^[3] Under his leadership, UnitedHealthcare managed a portfolio of employer and individual insurance plans amid ongoing debates over coverage decisions and rising healthcare costs, with Thompson earning recognition as one of Modern Healthcare's "Most Influential" executives in 2021 for his work in government programs.^[4] Thompson was fatally shot in a targeted attack outside a Manhattan hotel on December 4, 2024, while attending an investor conference; the assailant, Luigi Mangione, was arrested and charged with murder, reportedly motivated by grievances against the health insurance industry.^[5]^[6] His killing drew attention to public frustrations with insurance claim denials and executive compensation, including his reported $10.2 million annual package, though UnitedHealth Group emphasized his contributions to expanding access to care.^[7]^[8]

Early life and education

Upbringing in Iowa

Brian Robert Thompson was born on July 10, 1974, in Ames, Iowa, to Dennis and Pat Thompson.^[9]^[5] His father, Dennis, worked for decades as a grain elevator operator in the rural farming community of Jewell, a town of about 1,200 residents located roughly 50 miles north of Des Moines.^[10]^[11] The family lived on a farm southeast of the nearby village of Stanhope, immersing Thompson in the demands of Midwestern agriculture from an early age, where seasonal labor and self-reliance fostered a strong work ethic.^[12]^[13] Thompson's upbringing emphasized community ties and academic diligence in this small-town setting. He attended South Hamilton High School in Jewell, where he excelled as an outstanding student and served as valedictorian of the class of 1993.^[11]^[2] A close childhood friendship with Taylor Hill, forged in kindergarten and sustained through high school, exemplified his grounded social connections; Hill described Thompson as "the smartest" among peers and a reliable companion in rural Iowa life.^[12]^[14] Locals recalled him as affable and driven, traits attributed to the unpretentious farm environment that prioritized perseverance over ostentation.^[15]^[16] These early experiences in Hamilton County's agrarian landscape instilled values of hard work and intellectual ambition, shaping Thompson's trajectory from a local farm kid to broader pursuits, though his initial interests leaned toward academic achievement rather than explicit business ventures at the time.^[17]^[10]

University of Iowa and initial qualifications

Thompson earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Iowa in May 1997, majoring in accounting.^[3]^[18] He graduated as valedictorian of his class, reflecting high academic distinction in a program emphasizing quantitative analysis and financial principles foundational to accounting practice.^[19] During his time at the University of Iowa, Thompson met Paulette Reveiz, whom he later married; both completed their degrees there, establishing early personal connections amid their studies.^[20]^[21] Following graduation, Thompson obtained certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), a credential requiring passage of rigorous examinations on auditing, taxation, and financial reporting standards, which positioned him for roles demanding precision in financial oversight and compliance.^[2]^[22] This qualification, rooted in his accounting education, facilitated entry into professional services focused on data verification and business advisory, aligning with the analytical rigor of his undergraduate training.^[23]

Professional career

Time at PwC

Brian Thompson joined PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in 1997 immediately following his graduation from the University of Iowa with a bachelor's degree in business administration and a major in accounting.^[2]^[24] He worked there for nearly seven years, advancing to roles that included audit manager from 1997 to 2002 and manager in transaction advisory services until 2004.^[25]^[26] During his tenure at PwC, Thompson practiced as a certified public accountant (CPA), focusing on financial auditing and advisory functions within the firm's auditing and transaction advisory services division.^[2]^[26] These roles involved assessing financial statements, conducting due diligence for transactions, and providing business advisory services, which equipped him with foundational skills in risk assessment, compliance, and fiscal oversight in large corporate settings.^[27]^[25] Thompson's experience at PwC, a global consulting firm, emphasized rigorous financial controls and operational efficiency, principles that later influenced his approach to healthcare operations.^[23] He departed PwC in 2004 to join UnitedHealth Group.^[2]^[3]

Entry and ascent at UnitedHealth Group

Thompson joined UnitedHealth Group in 2004, shortly after concluding nearly seven years at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), where he worked as a manager and certified public accountant (CPA) in auditing and transaction advisory services.^[2]^[26] His entry-level roles emphasized finance, applying his accounting background to operational and financial oversight within the company's healthcare insurance framework.^[3] Over the next 17 years, Thompson advanced through a series of executive promotions, progressing from finance-focused positions to broader leadership responsibilities.^[28] He held various roles that included managing key segments of the business, culminating in his appointment as CEO of UnitedHealthcare's government programs business prior to 2021, where he oversaw operations in Medicare & Retirement and Community & State programs.^[1]^[29] This ascent reflected his expertise in navigating the complexities of healthcare finance and regulatory environments, contributing to the efficiency of UnitedHealth Group's administrative functions amid industry competition.^[3]

Tenure as CEO of UnitedHealthcare

Thompson was appointed chief executive officer of UnitedHealthcare, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group, on April 7, 2021.^[1] In this role, he oversaw the operations of the largest health insurer in the United States, which provided coverage to more than 50 million individuals across employer-sponsored, government, and individual plans as of 2024.^[30]^[31] UnitedHealthcare's employer and individual segment alone served 29.7 million people by December 31, 2024.^[32] Based in Maple Grove, Minnesota, Thompson adopted a leadership style characterized by a low public profile, emphasizing internal strategy and operational execution over external media presence.^[11]^[33] This approach aligned with his prior experience within the company, where he had risen through roles focused on government programs before assuming the CEO position.^[1] Amid post-pandemic recovery, Thompson guided UnitedHealthcare's strategic direction toward growth in key areas, including Medicare Advantage plans—where the company oversaw significant enrollment increases—and employer-sponsored coverage.^[3]^[1] These efforts involved expanding service offerings and benefit structures to adapt to shifting healthcare demands, such as rising utilization following the subsidence of COVID-19 restrictions.^[34] His tenure, lasting until December 4, 2024, prioritized sustained operational scale in these segments amid broader industry pressures.^[22]

Leadership and contributions

Strategic expansions and innovations

Under Brian Thompson's leadership as CEO of UnitedHealthcare from April 2021, the company emphasized data-driven innovations to enhance patient outcomes and care efficiency, including through UnitedHealth Group's Optum division's value-based care models that prioritize preventive interventions and early management of chronic conditions.^[35] These models, expanded during his tenure, served approximately 4.7 million patients in 2024 and demonstrated empirical improvements, such as Optum Health primary care practices delivering higher-quality care at lower total costs for Medicare Advantage patients compared to hospital-based or independent competitors.^[36]^[37] Thompson advocated for leveraging data analytics in innovation centers to identify causal pathways for better health results, such as personalized care plans that reduced infusion costs by $3,800 to $8,000 per patient by shifting from hospital to home settings.^[38]^[39] UnitedHealthcare pursued strategic expansions in digital technologies under Thompson, integrating advanced analytics and AI tools to simplify member access to preventive services and coverage navigation.^[40] This included rollout of AI-backed platforms in 2024 to help members compare and select care options more efficiently, alongside telemedicine expansions that enabled remote monitoring and early intervention to mitigate long-term health risks.^[41] Such innovations supported broader preventive care coverage, including routine screenings and immunizations fully covered under most plans, fostering causal mechanisms like timely detection to avert costly escalations in disease progression.^[42] Collaborations with external partners further amplified these efforts, aiming to scale equitable care models across diverse populations.^[43]

Financial and operational achievements

Under Brian Thompson's leadership as CEO of UnitedHealthcare from April 2021 until his death in December 2024, the division reported revenues of $298.2 billion in 2024, reflecting a 6% year-over-year increase of $16.8 billion and operating earnings of $15.6 billion.^[44] This growth occurred amid expansion in membership, including Medicare Advantage enrollment, where UnitedHealthcare added 456,000 beneficiaries in plan year 2024, contributing to its position as a leading provider.^[45] The parent company, UnitedHealth Group, achieved record consolidated revenues of $400.3 billion for the full year 2024, up from $371.6 billion in 2023, underscoring the scale of premium income generated under Thompson's oversight.^[31]^[46] Operational metrics highlighted efficiencies in cost management, with UnitedHealthcare maintaining a medical loss ratio of 85.5% in 2024, compared to 83.2% in 2023, indicating a higher proportion of premiums directed toward medical care amid rising utilization.^[44]^[47] Independent analyses of 2021 claims data showed UnitedHealthcare plans delivering total cost of care up to 20% lower than competitors in certain markets, leveraging best-practice methodologies for provider reimbursement and utilization.^[48] The company pursued ongoing reductions in administrative burdens through digital tools and process simplifications, targeting annual improvements in operating cost ratios of 20 to 40 basis points on an equivalent business mix.^[49]^[50] These efforts supported profitability in commercial lines without direct taxpayer subsidies, in contrast to government programs like traditional Medicare, which faced projected trust fund depletion by 2036 according to actuarial estimates. Thompson's tenure emphasized scalable coverage for over 49 million individuals across employer-sponsored, Medicare, and Medicaid segments by 2024, sustaining positive operating margins while navigating regulatory medical loss ratio requirements under the Affordable Care Act.^[44] This model demonstrated private-sector viability, with UnitedHealthcare's pre-tax profits exceeding $16 billion on $281 billion in 2023 revenues, funding reinvestments in care coordination absent the fiscal deficits plaguing public entitlements.^[51]

Role in healthcare delivery

Under Thompson's leadership as CEO of UnitedHealthcare from April 2021, the company expanded access to preventive care services, including mandated screenings, vaccinations, and wellness programs embedded in employer-sponsored, individual, Medicare Advantage, and Medicaid plans, serving millions of members across diverse demographics such as seniors, low-income families, and working-age adults.^[1]^[4] These initiatives prioritized early intervention for conditions like diabetes and hypertension, with Medicare plans under his prior oversight of government programs incorporating chronic care management to coordinate treatments and reduce hospitalizations for beneficiaries.^[4] Thompson directed a strategic shift toward value-based care models, positioning them as the core of UnitedHealthcare's growth by reimbursing providers based on patient health outcomes rather than fee-for-service volume, which incentivizes sustained management of chronic conditions over episodic treatment.^[52] In a 2023 investor conference, he emphasized compensating physicians and caregivers for maintaining patient wellness, aiming to lower long-term costs while improving care quality for populations reliant on ongoing support.^[7] UnitedHealthcare, guided by Thompson, leveraged extensive provider networks and pharmacy benefit negotiations to secure discounted rates, empirically demonstrated to curb escalating drug and service costs through mechanisms like preferred pharmacy incentives that direct utilization toward lower-price options without restricting access.^[53]^[54] These efforts included capping out-of-pocket expenses for over 290 critical medications—such as insulin at under $18 monthly—benefiting consumers with chronic needs by aligning insurer leverage with affordability, independent of broader pricing reforms.^[54] Thompson also championed internal teams dedicated to navigating complex care for the most vulnerable patients, enhancing delivery efficiency for those with severe chronic illnesses.^[55]

Criticisms and industry challenges

Allegations of claim denials and cost controls

During Brian Thompson's tenure as CEO of UnitedHealthcare from April 2021 to December 2024, the company faced allegations of systematically denying claims to prioritize profits over patient care, with critics highlighting denial rates exceeding industry averages.^[56] ^[57] Data from 2023 showed UnitedHealthcare denying approximately 19% of in-network claims in Affordable Care Act marketplace plans, compared to an industry average of around 16%, with some analyses placing its overall rates as high as 32% in certain segments.^[58] ^[59] Detractors, including patient advocates and media reports, popularized the phrase "delay, deny, defend" to describe purported tactics of stalling approvals, rejecting valid claims, and litigating appeals to wear down claimants, drawing from a 2010 book critiquing insurance practices but applied specifically to UnitedHealthcare's operations.^[60] A key focus of criticism involved Medicare Advantage plans, where a October 2024 U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations report—led by Democrats—examined prior authorization denials for post-acute care services from 2019 to 2022, finding UnitedHealthcare's denial rate rose from 8.7% to 22.7%, allegedly facilitated by AI-driven tools that overrode clinical judgments to flag claims as unnecessary.^[61] ^[62] The report attributed these patterns to profit incentives, as Medicare Advantage overpayments to insurers averaged 22% above traditional Medicare costs, though it noted low appeal success rates among beneficiaries, with UnitedHealthcare overturning only about 10-15% of denials upon review.^[63] Multiple lawsuits emerged during this period, including class actions accusing the company of using proprietary algorithms to systematically reject claims for nursing home or rehab care post-stroke or injury, even when prescribed by physicians, with families of deceased patients alleging denials contributed to adverse outcomes.^[60] ^[64] UnitedHealthcare defended its practices, stating that it approves and pays 90% of claims upon initial submission, with the remainder undergoing review for medical necessity, documentation errors, or potential fraud to safeguard the risk pool and avert premium increases for all enrollees.^[65] ^[66] Empirical analyses indicate many denials stem from verifiable issues such as duplicate submissions, coding inaccuracies, lack of prior authorization, or services not meeting coverage criteria under policy terms, rather than blanket profit motives; for instance, only about 0.5% of claims are denied purely on clinical grounds after evidence review, often targeting overutilization or abuse that could otherwise inflate costs system-wide.^[65] ^[57] Insurers like UnitedHealthcare argue that rigorous controls, including fraud detection recovering billions annually, enable actuarial pricing that keeps average premiums stable—rising only 4-7% yearly during Thompson's era despite medical inflation—by distributing risks equitably and preventing moral hazard where unchecked payouts subsidize inefficient or unnecessary care.^[67] ^[68] While Senate critiques, emanating from a majority-Democrat panel, emphasize over-denial, independent data affirm that appeals succeed in 40-50% of contested cases industry-wide, suggesting initial rejections frequently align with contractual limits rather than systemic malice.^[58]

Regulatory and legal scrutiny

UnitedHealthcare, under Brian Thompson's leadership from April 2021 to December 2024, encountered congressional scrutiny over its prior authorization and claim denial practices, particularly the use of AI algorithms to automate decisions. A Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations report issued in October 2024 revealed that UnitedHealth and peers like CVS Health and Humana employed AI systems that increased denial rates for post-acute care, such as skilled nursing and home health services, often overriding physician recommendations to prioritize cost controls.^[69] Lawmakers in House Energy and Commerce Committee hearings criticized these processes for contributing to care delays, with questions directed at UnitedHealth executives on resuming prior authorizations after the February 2024 Change Healthcare cyberattack disrupted claims processing.^[70] Federal probes extended to antitrust concerns regarding UnitedHealth Group's market dominance. The Department of Justice filed a civil antitrust lawsuit in November 2024 to block the company's $3.3 billion acquisition of Amedisys, arguing it would reduce competition in home health and hospice markets where UnitedHealth already held significant shares through Optum.^[71] Earlier, in July 2024, UnitedHealth abandoned proposed purchases of Stewardship Health and a related entity following Antitrust Division review, amid broader investigations into Medicare billing practices and vertical integration favoring Optum-owned providers.^[72]^[73] Legal challenges included ERISA litigation over alleged improper benefit denials. In July 2023, the Department of Labor sued UnitedHealth's third-party administrator UMR for systematically denying thousands of emergency and urinary drug screening claims without applying benefit plan standards, violating ERISA's claims-processing rules. UnitedHealthcare reached a $9.5 million class-action settlement in May 2025 for denying coverage of proton beam radiation therapy for cervical and prostate cancers between 2016 and 2023, providing reimbursements without admitting liability—a resolution typical for insurers adjudicating billions in annual claims amid interpretive ambiguities in ERISA and policy frameworks.^[74] Thompson faced no personal criminal liability in these matters, which reflect sector-wide litigation pressures rather than isolated misconduct.

Broader context of insurance practices

Health insurance operates on principles of risk pooling, where premiums from a large group cover the costs of care for those who become ill. However, adverse selection—wherein higher-risk individuals are more likely to purchase coverage, skewing the pool toward sicker enrollees—and moral hazard, where insured parties consume more services when insulated from full costs, inevitably drive up expenses unless mitigated by mechanisms such as claim reviews, prior authorizations, and denials.^[75] These gatekeeping practices prevent premium escalation that would render coverage unaffordable for healthier, often working-class populations, ensuring the system's sustainability for the majority rather than unchecked access for outliers.^[76] Empirical evidence underscores the necessity of such controls: federal government programs like Medicare report improper payments totaling billions annually, with fiscal year 2024 estimates reaching $19.07 billion for Medicare Part C alone at a 5.61% rate, encompassing overpayments, fraud, and errors that inflate costs without delivering value.^[77] In contrast, private insurers, facing market pressures to contain expenditures, apply denials at initial rates of 15-20% for claims—higher than traditional Medicare's 1.4% service denial rate—but this reflects proactive efforts to curb moral hazard and abuse, such as unnecessary procedures or billing fraud, which the FBI estimates contribute tens of billions in annual losses across the sector.^[58]^[78]^[79] Absent rigorous oversight, these dynamics lead to systemic collapse: fraud and waste erode funds, raising premiums or taxes that disproportionately harm lower-income groups reliant on subsidized or employer-based plans, while overutilization crowds out preventive care for the broader population. Private sector practices, though criticized as profit-driven, align with economic incentives for efficiency, often yielding lower net waste compared to government alternatives plagued by political reluctance to deny claims, despite the latter's ostensibly lower denial metrics.^[80] This disparity in scrutiny highlights institutional biases, where private entities endure outsized vilification from media and advocacy sources predisposed against market mechanisms, even as data reveals comparable or superior cost controls in competitive environments.^[81]

Personal life

Marriage and family

Brian Thompson married Paulette "Pauley" Thompson, whom he met while attending the University of Iowa.^[82]^[83] The couple had two sons, born circa 2005 and 2008, who were 19 and 16 years old at the time of Thompson's death in December 2024.^[84]^[85] The family lived in a $1.5 million home in Maple Grove, Minnesota, though Thompson and Paulette had been separated for years, residing in separate houses less than a mile apart in the same neighborhood since at least 2018.^[84]^[86]^[87] Reports indicated the separation was ongoing, with no public details on formal divorce proceedings.^[88]^[89] Associates portrayed Thompson as a devoted father who prioritized family stability amid personal challenges, maintaining proximity to his sons and evoking an image of traditional family values.^[82] He served as the primary provider, supporting the household in their upscale suburban setting despite the marital estrangement.^[84]^[86]

Interests and character

Brian Thompson, hailing from the small rural community of Jewell, Iowa, where he grew up as the son of a grain elevator operator, was characterized by peers and locals as embodying Midwestern humility and diligence shaped by his modest roots.^[3] High school principal Todd Coy recalled him as "humble" and an "outstanding student" who was "liked by all," having served as class president and homecoming king while graduating as valedictorian from South Hamilton High School in 1993.^[17] Classmates and friends described him as the "smartest kid" with a personable demeanor and "big heart," traits that persisted into adulthood as noted by those who knew him personally.^[82] In his youth, Thompson pursued interests in music and sports, playing trombone in the school band and earning All-State Band honors, while also excelling in golf as his team's medalist and number-one player.^[17] Later accounts highlighted his enthusiasm for community-oriented activities, such as cheering vigorously for the Minnesota Twins, reflecting a low-key yet engaged presence among acquaintances.^[29] Thompson consistently avoided the public spotlight, maintaining a quiet profile as a neighbor in Maple Grove, Minnesota, and prioritizing tangible outcomes over personal acclaim, in line with descriptions of him as mild-mannered and a "servant-leader."^[90]^[91]^[92]^[93] This pragmatic disposition, rooted in his Iowa upbringing, underscored a reputation for resilience and focus amid professional demands, as affirmed by those who interacted with him outside work.^[10]

Assassination

Events of December 4, 2024

On the morning of December 4, 2024, Brian Thompson, the 50-year-old CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was walking outside the New York Hilton Midtown hotel in Midtown Manhattan, en route to the UnitedHealth Group's annual investor conference scheduled at the venue.^[94] ^[95] At approximately 6:45 a.m. ET, an assailant approached Thompson from behind on Sixth Avenue and fired multiple shots at him using a 9mm ghost gun equipped with a silencer, striking him in the chest and leg. ^[95] ^[96] Thompson collapsed at the scene, and New York Police Department officers and emergency medical services responded rapidly, transporting him to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead from his wounds.^[97] ^[98] Thompson had received prior death threats related to his role, as reported by his family to authorities, yet he traveled without a personal security detail, maintaining a low-profile approach despite the known risks to healthcare executives.^[99] ^[100] The New York Police Department immediately classified the incident as a targeted attack and launched a manhunt, with no suspect identified or apprehended at the scene.^[101]

Perpetrator and stated motives

Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old from Baltimore, Maryland, and a 2020 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, was arrested on December 9, 2024, in Altoona, Pennsylvania, four days after the shooting of Brian Thompson. Authorities recovered from Mangione a silencer-equipped 9mm pistol constructed as a "ghost gun" using untraceable components, which ballistic tests matched to casings at the crime scene, along with fake identification and a handwritten manifesto railing against corporate exploitation in the U.S. healthcare system.^[102]^[103]^[104] In the manifesto and subsequent diary entries unsealed by prosecutors, Mangione articulated motives rooted in ideological opposition to health insurance executives, accusing them of systemic greed and "depraved indifference" that exacerbates patient suffering for profit. He positioned the killing as a symbolic strike against industry leaders like Thompson, whom he viewed as emblematic of profiteering rather than a personal target, with writings invoking broader anti-corporate rhetoric without referencing any direct interaction with Thompson or UnitedHealthcare. Mangione had endured chronic lower back pain from L5-S1 isthmic spondylolisthesis since adolescence, culminating in spinal fusion surgery in July 2023 after pain intensified during a stay in Hawaii; while he documented frustrations with medical bureaucracy in online posts, no verified evidence links him to denied claims by UnitedHealthcare, undermining narratives framing his actions as retaliation for personal insurance grievances.^[105]^[106]^[107] Mangione's affluent family background—his grandfather founded a real estate firm, and relatives include prominent Baltimore developers—further distances him from the archetype of a disenfranchised individual radicalized by healthcare woes, as he enjoyed access to elite education and resources prior to his reported withdrawal from society post-surgery. New York authorities indicted him on eleven counts, including first-degree murder and murder as an act of terrorism, alleging the premeditated attack aimed to intimidate or coerce changes in industry conduct; federal charges encompass firearm offenses tied to the ghost gun's illegal possession and use in a violent crime.^[108]^[109]^[110]^[111]

Investigation and aftermath

Luigi Mangione was arrested without incident on December 9, 2024, at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania, after a hotel guest identified him from circulated surveillance images and tipped authorities.^[112] Upon apprehension, police recovered a 3D-printed firearm from Mangione that ballistically matched three shell casings found at the Midtown Manhattan crime scene, which bore engravings such as "deny," "defraud," and "depose."^[113] Additional forensic links included Mangione's fingerprints on a discarded water bottle, KIND bar wrapper, and cellphone charger near the shooting location.^[114] Federal prosecutors charged Mangione on December 19, 2024, with murder using a firearm, two counts of interstate stalking of Thompson, and possession/use of a silencer in a violent crime, alleging he researched Thompson's public schedule and traveled to New York specifically to target him.^[115] New York state authorities issued an indictment on December 17, 2024, for first-degree murder among 11 counts, treating the killing as a premeditated act against a high-profile executive.^[110] Mangione has pleaded not guilty to both federal and state charges, with proceedings ongoing as of October 2025; two state murder counts tied to terrorism were dismissed in September 2025 for lack of sufficient evidence of broader intent to intimidate civilians.^[116] Investigations by the NYPD and FBI have identified Mangione as the lone perpetrator, with no accomplices or external coordination uncovered despite extensive review of his digital footprints and travel records.^[117] UnitedHealthcare maintained operational continuity following Thompson's death, appointing company veteran Tim Noel as its new CEO on January 23, 2025, after a brief interim leadership transition.^[118] UnitedHealth Group, the parent company, invested nearly $1.7 million in enhanced security measures for top executives in the final weeks of 2024, including personal protection details.^[119] The assassination prompted widespread corporate responses, with firms across sectors bolstering executive safeguards—such as arming security teams, anonymizing leadership photos on websites, and temporarily closing headquarters—reflecting a heightened emphasis on physical and operational resilience.^[120]

Public reactions and legacy

Condemnations and tributes

UnitedHealth Group issued a statement on December 4, 2024, expressing deep sadness over Thompson's death, describing him as a "dear friend and colleague."^[121] CEO Andrew Witty, in an internal email to staff on December 11, 2024, praised Thompson as "one of the good guys," highlighting his leadership and personal qualities amid the company's grief.^[122] UnitedHealthcare employees echoed these sentiments, with a medical coder from Wisconsin stating on December 4, 2024, that "a bright light was extinguished today" with Thompson's killing, portraying him as an approachable leader.^[123] Political figures across the spectrum condemned the violence. The White House, through spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre on December 10, 2024, described the killing as "horrific" and rejected any justification tied to policy frustrations.^[124] Filmmaker Michael Moore, known for critiquing the U.S. healthcare system, affirmed on December 16, 2024, "Yes, I condemn murder," distancing his advocacy from endorsement of the act.^[125] Yale School of Management experts Jeffrey Sonnenfeld and Steven Tian, in a December 9, 2024, analysis, labeled public cheers for the murder as a "very un-American response," underscoring broad societal rejection of vigilante violence.^[126] At Thompson's private funeral on December 10, 2024, in his Minnesota hometown, family and friends emphasized his role as a devoted father to two young sons and a loving husband, focusing on his personal integrity rather than professional achievements.^[92] An obituary published December 15, 2024, noted his birth on July 10, 1974, in Ames, Iowa, and portrayed him as a family-oriented individual whose life was cut short by the shooting.^[9] Insurance industry peers, including leaders from captive insurance brokers, offered tributes on December 5, 2024, mourning the loss of a respected executive.^[127]

Controversial endorsements of the killing

Some online commentators and social media users portrayed Luigi Mangione as a folk hero for targeting Brian Thompson, framing the killing as justified retribution against an allegedly exploitative insurance executive.^[128]^[129] These reactions, amplified on platforms like Reddit and X, depicted Mangione's actions as a symbolic strike against corporate "parasites" responsible for coverage denials and high profits, with phrases like "parasites had it coming" circulating in supportive posts.^[130]^[131] Such endorsements reflected broader anti-corporate frustrations but overlooked insurance's foundational function in pooling risks to prevent individual financial ruin from unpredictable medical costs, a mechanism grounded in probabilistic forecasting that has sustained broader access to care despite acknowledged flaws in claim processing.^[126] Cheering targeted violence against executives, often rationalized in left-leaning online spaces as resistance to systemic inequities, risks normalizing extrajudicial responses to policy disputes, paralleling patterns of politicized aggression where dissenters from prevailing ideological norms face dehumanization. Polls indicated these views represented a vocal minority, with an Emerson College survey finding 41% of voters aged 18-29 deeming the killing "acceptable," contrasted against a USA Today poll showing nearly two-thirds of all Americans viewing it as unequivocally wrong and favoring full prosecution of Mangione.^[132]^[133] Mainstream editorials and public statements overwhelmingly condemned the act, underscoring that while industry critiques merit debate through democratic channels, endorsements of murder undermine civil society without addressing root causal factors like regulatory incentives in healthcare financing.^[51]

Implications for healthcare policy and executive security

The assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson prompted healthcare companies to intensify executive protection protocols, including increased armed security details, removal of executive photographs from public websites, and temporary closures of headquarters to mitigate perceived threats.^[120] UnitedHealth Group, Thompson's employer, allocated nearly $1.7 million for top executive security in late 2024, reflecting a broader industry shift toward proactive risk assessment and behavioral threat monitoring for C-suite leaders in politically charged sectors.^[134] These measures, while elevating short-term safety, have not yielded systemic overhauls in personal security standards but have spurred discussions on integrating security chiefs directly into executive decision-making to address vulnerabilities exposed by the unannounced, targeted nature of the attack.^[135]^[136] In healthcare policy, Thompson's killing amplified public frustrations with insurance claim denials and coverage restrictions, yet it failed to catalyze legislative breakthroughs, underscoring that vigilante violence resolves no underlying systemic distortions such as regulatory burdens from the Affordable Care Act that have fueled industry consolidation and cost inefficiencies.^[137] UnitedHealth Group executives, including CEO Andrew Witty, responded by advocating for reforms emphasizing value-based care models, enhanced transparency in pricing and approvals, and dedicated support teams for high-risk patients to navigate complex systems—initiatives aligned with Thompson's prior efforts to expand access for the chronically ill.^[55]^[138] Empirical evidence highlights that sustainable improvements stem from market-oriented measures like bolstering competition among providers and insurers, alongside tort reform to curb defensive medicine practices that inflate premiums, rather than punitive actions against individuals; under Thompson's leadership, UnitedHealthcare maintained compliance with medical loss ratio requirements, directing 80-85% of premiums toward patient care while innovating telehealth and preventive services that benefited millions enrolled in its plans.^[8] Thompson's tenure exemplified private-sector adaptations enabling broader coverage amid policy-induced challenges, serving as a counterpoint to narratives framing insurers as sole villains; his death intensified scrutiny on fraud prevention and overutilization—estimated to waste up to 10-20% of U.S. healthcare spending—over isolated denial disputes, reinforcing the causal reality that targeted killings disrupt operations without addressing root causes like opaque government mandates or antitrust leniency toward hospital monopolies.^[139] Policymakers and industry leaders have since prioritized data-driven fixes, including interoperability standards for claims processing and incentives for cost-effective treatments, to honor Thompson's legacy of scaling affordable options for over 50 million covered lives without resorting to extralegal retribution.^[140]^[141]

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Brian Thompson's Friends, Colleagues Paint Picture of Devoted ...
Dec 11, 2024 · Hill recalled him and Thompson being inseparable while growing up in rural Iowa, where they both graduated from South Hamilton High School in ...
[15]
I'm from Brian Thompson's hometown. The celebration of his killing ...
Dec 16, 2024 · Before he was the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, Brian Thompson was a small-town Iowa farm kid with an extraordinary drive to achieve.
[16]
'Whip-Smart and Affable': Friends and Colleagues Mourn ...
Dec 13, 2024 · Thompson's childhood friend Taylor Hill told the Times his friend was “just a farm kid living out in rural Iowa.” “Everybody got along with ...
[17]
'He was liked by all': South Hamilton Middle and High School ... - KCCI
Dec 4, 2024 · Years before Brian Thompson was the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, he was a beloved graduate of South Hamilton High School in Jewell.Missing: upbringing | Show results with:upbringing
[18]
Who was Brian Thompson? Insurance CEO from Iowa was shot ...
Dec 9, 2024 · Thompson was appointed chief executive of UnitedHealthcare in 2021, and had been at the company since 2004. Prior to being named chief executive ...
[19]
Archive: University of Iowa alum named CEO of UnitedHealthcare
Thompson was the valedictorian of the Class of 1997 at the University of Iowa, where he received a bachelor's degree in business administration, according to ...
[20]
Brian Thompson: A Life Cut Short, Lessons to Learn - LinkedIn
Dec 12, 2024 · Born in the small town of Jewell, Iowa, with a population of just 1,200, Brian rose to lead UnitedHealthcare, one of the world's most ...<|separator|>
[21]
Inside the life of Brian Thompson: UnitedHealthcare CEO's wife ...
Dec 28, 2024 · Both Brian and Paulette attended the University of Iowa. While Brian graduated in 1997 with a bachelor's degree in business administration ...
[22]
Who was Brian Thompson, the UnitedHealthcare CEO shot dead in ...
Dec 10, 2024 · He first joined UnitedHealth Group in 2004 and had previously served as CEO of the company's government programs, including Medicare and retiree ...<|separator|>
[23]
An Accounting Major, UnitedHealthcare Chief Executive Brian ...
Dec 4, 2024 · Both Thompson and his wife graduated from the University of Iowa. A university spokesman said he got a bachelor's degree in business ...
[24]
UI 1997 valedictorian and UnitedHealthcare CEO killed in targeted ...
Dec 4, 2024 · Brian Thompson, a 1997 University of Iowa graduate and class valedictorian with a bachelor's degree in business administration, and the CEO of the health ...
[25]
What Did Brian Thompson Do for a Living? His Job ... - Hollywood Life
Dec 4, 2024 · Brian began his career at PwC, where he worked as an Audit Manager from 1997 to 2002 and later as Manager of Transaction Advisory Services until ...
[26]
Who was Brian Thompson, UnitedHealthcare CEO? - Fox Business
Dec 4, 2024 · Before working at UnitedHealth, Thompson held managerial roles at PwC in the company's auditing and transaction advisory services division.<|separator|>
[27]
Who was UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson? - ABC News
Dec 4, 2024 · Brian Thompson, a top executive at the world's largest health insurer, was shot and killed in front of a Midtown Manhattan hotel early Wednesday morning.
[28]
Brian Thompson, New Chief Executive Officer of UnitedHealthcare
Apr 7, 2021 · UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) has announced the promotion of Brian Thompson as chief executive officer of its healthcare insurance business unit ...
[29]
Details on the life, career of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson
Dec 4, 2024 · Thompson worked at UnitedHealthcare for the past 20 years. He held numerous roles that included leading government programs, and the company's ...
[30]
https://www.statista.com/topics/9484/unitedhealth-group/
[31]
UnitedHealth reaches record revenue in 2024, though profit falls
Jan 16, 2025 · UnitedHealthcare expects to add about 800,000 MA members this year. The insurer closed 2024 with 50.7 million medical members overall. Read ...
[32]
[PDF] UNH-Q4-2024-Form-10-K.pdf - UnitedHealth Group
Feb 27, 2025 · As of December 31, 2024, UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual provides access to medical services for 29.7 million people.
[33]
UnitedHealthcare's CEO kept a low public profile before he ... - PBS
Dec 4, 2024 · Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the US, he was largely unknown to the millions of people affected by his decision-making.<|separator|>
[34]
UnitedHealthcare Profits Less About Denials, More About ... - Forbes
Dec 7, 2024 · Despite the rising profits, financial reports show the company spending more on medical care as the pandemic subsided. Here's what ...
[35]
Value-Based Care - UnitedHealth Group
Health care continues to shift toward a value-based care model, where providers focus on preventative care, quality and outcomes. Learn more.
[36]
[PDF] Optum Health - UnitedHealth Group
Dec 3, 2024 · In 2024, Optum Health will serve approximately. 4.7 million patients in value-based care that delivers better health outcomes at a lower cost.
[37]
Optum Health primary care practices outperform competitors when ...
Feb 11, 2025 · Medicare Advantage patients visiting an Optum Health primary care practice receive better care at a lower total cost than those who visit hospital-based and ...
[38]
Achieving superior patient outcomes through personalized patient ...
May 8, 2025 · 96% of patients are satisfied with Optum Infusion nurses.*. $3,800-$8,000 cost savings per infusion by moving from hospitals to home infusion.**.
[39]
Who was Brian Thompson? Years before NYC shooting, CEO ...
Dec 6, 2024 · Speaking from his company's innovation center, then-United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson discussed ways to improve health care through data ...
[40]
Health plan innovation | Employer - UnitedHealthcare
Through advanced analytics, digital tools and strategic collaborations, innovation at UnitedHealthcare is addressing the biggest obstacles in health care ...
[41]
Why UnitedHealthcare is putting a focus on simplicity in its AI strategy
Sep 23, 2024 · The UnitedHealthcare team has rolled out a tool backed by artificial intelligence that aims to make it easier for members to shop around.
[42]
What's preventive care and what's covered? - UnitedHealthcare
Preventive care includes routine well exams, screenings and immunizations to help prevent health problems. It's covered by most health plans.
[43]
Working together to power health care innovation - UnitedHealthcare
Mar 28, 2025 · Leveraging expertise and resources within UnitedHealth Group · Working with outside health care companies to drive better health outcomes.
[44]
[PDF] UnitedHealth Group Reports 2024 Results
Jan 16, 2025 · UnitedHealthcare full year revenues of $298.2 billion increased $16.8 billion or 6% year-over- year. Operating earnings were $15.6 billion.Missing: 2021-2024 | Show results with:2021-2024
[45]
Medicare Advantage in 2024: Enrollment Update and Key Trends
Aug 8, 2024 · UnitedHealthcare and Humana account for nearly half of all Medicare Advantage enrollees nationwide in 2024. Despite most beneficiaries having ...
[46]
UnitedHealth (UNH) - Revenue - Companies Market Cap
In 2024 the company made a revenue of $400.27 Billion USD an increase over the revenue in the year 2023 that were of $371.62 Billion USD. The revenue is the ...
[47]
UNH (UnitedHealth Group) Medical Loss Ratio % - GuruFocus
Rating 4.5 · Review by GuruFocusUnitedHealth Group's Medical Loss Ratio % for the annual that ended in Dec. 2024 was 85.50% , which is higher than 83.20% for the pervious year ended in Dec.Missing: 2021-2024 | Show results with:2021-2024
[48]
Studies show UnitedHealthcare beats competition on total cost of ...
Sep 30, 2025 · In some cases, UnitedHealthcare lowered costs by up to 20%. These results, uncovered using 2021 claims data, were similar to findings from the ...Missing: operational efficiencies
[49]
[PDF] Overview & Growth Priorities - UnitedHealth Group
We anticipate improving our operating cost ratio by an average of 20 to 40 basis points per year on an equivalent business mix basis. • We will continue to ...
[50]
[PDF] UnitedHealthcare Overview and Q&A - UnitedHealth Group
We are investing in digital tools to support doctors, reducing their administrative burden while improving efficiency and affordability across the system.
[51]
Most Americans blame insurance profits and coverage denials ...
Dec 27, 2024 · UnitedHealthcare made more than $16 billion in profit last year, before interest and taxes, on $281 billion in revenue. Insurers frequently note ...Missing: metrics | Show results with:metrics
[52]
4 key takeaways from UnitedHealth's investor conference
Nov 30, 2023 · "Today, value-based care is the centerpiece of our growth strategy," UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson said. "From my vantage point leading ...<|separator|>
[53]
Pharmacy switching in response to preferred pharmacy networks in ...
In recent years, preferred pharmacy networks have emerged as a tool for plans to curb rising prescription drug costs. Such networks use financial incentives ...
[54]
Optum RX Transparency - UnitedHealth Group
Our Critical Drug Affordability List: Caps out-of-pocket costs for more than 290 lifesaving medications, with average costs less than $18 per month for insulin ...
[55]
UnitedHealth Group C.E.O.: The Health Care System Is Flawed ...
Dec 13, 2024 · Brian was never content with the status quo. That's why he pushed us to build dedicated teams to help the sickest people navigate the health system.
[56]
UnitedHealthcare denies the most claims of any major health insurer ...
the most of any major insurer. That's twice the industry average of 16%, ...
[57]
UnitedHealth Group, two Blues plans had highest denial rates for ...
Jan 27, 2025 · UnitedHealth Group said in its statement that half of 1% of all claims are denied due to clinical evidence and patient safety. The company said ...
[58]
Claims Denials and Appeals in ACA Marketplace Plans in 2023 - KFF
Jan 27, 2025 · Insurers of qualified health plans (QHPs) sold on HealthCare.gov denied 19% of in-network claims in 2023 and 37% of out-of-network claims for a ...Missing: lawsuits | Show results with:lawsuits
[59]
How Often Do Health Insurers Deny Patient Claims? | U.S. News
Dec 11, 2024 · Yet while close to 17% of claims were denied, rates varied drastically among plan issuers, ranging from 2% to 49%. A separate KFF survey also ...
[60]
UnitedHealthcare Has Faced Scrutiny Over Denying Claims
Dec 5, 2024 · People who bought coverage under Obamacare, a government-funded plan, had 17 percent of their care denied in 2021, according to KFF, a health ...
[61]
[2024-10-17] Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations ...
Oct 17, 2024 · Through its inquiry, PSI found that between 2019 and 2022, UnitedHealthcare, Humana, and CVS each denied prior authorization requests for post- ...
[62]
Medicare Advantage insurers used tech to help deny claims: Senate ...
Oct 17, 2024 · UnitedHealth's rate of denials for post-acute services jumped from 8.7% in 2019 to 22.7% in 2022, according to the report. The report also found ...
[63]
Senate Subcommittee Report Details Medicare Advantage ...
Medicare Advantage plans issue prior authorization and on-going denials with little human oversight and bet on beneficiaries not appealing. More ...
[64]
UnitedHealthcare Must Face State Law Claims in Class Action Suit ...
Mar 5, 2025 · UnitedHealthcare must face state law claims in class action suit for AI driven coverage denials of Medicare advantage claims.
[65]
Get the facts: How many claims are denied? - UnitedHealthcare
At UnitedHealthcare, we approve and pay 90% of claims shortly after they're submitted. The remaining 10% go through an additional review process.Missing: 2021-2024 | Show results with:2021-2024
[66]
UnitedHealthcare responds to allegations of claims denial
Dec 16, 2024 · UnitedHealthcare has released a statement regarding allegations of denied insurance claims. UnitedHealthcare said it approves and pays about 90% of medical ...
[67]
Preventing Medicare fraud - UnitedHealthcare
Oct 15, 2025 · UnitedHealthcare is committed to preventing fraud, waste and abuse in Medicare benefit programs and we're asking for your help.
[68]
As anger at UnitedHealthcare boils over, Americans pay more than ...
Dec 10, 2024 · ... claims. However, their study found denial rates varied considerably by insurer, with some as low as 2% while others were as high as 49%.
[69]
Insurers increasingly deploy AI and deny post-acute care: Senate
Oct 17, 2024 · “Insurance companies say that prior authorization is meant to prevent unnecessary medical services,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut ...
[70]
What We Learned: Change Healthcare Cyber Attack
May 3, 2024 · Several members also took the opportunity to chide United Healthcare's use of prior authorization, which Witty said resumed for its Medicare ...
[71]
Justice Department Sues to Block UnitedHealth Group's Acquisition ...
Nov 12, 2024 · A civil antitrust lawsuit today to block UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UnitedHealth)'s proposed $3.3 billion acquisition of rival home health and hospice ...
[72]
UnitedHealth Group Abandons Two Acquisitions Following Antitrust ...
Jul 25, 2024 · UnitedHealth Group abandoned its proposed acquisitions of Stewardship Health Inc. and a related company following scrutiny from the Antitrust Division.
[73]
UnitedHealth Group under DOJ investigation over Medicare billing ...
Jul 24, 2025 · They are also facing DOJ antitrust scrutiny over their $3.3 billion planned acquisition of home-health firm Amedisys. Billions in bonus ...
[74]
UnitedHealthcare part of $9.5M settlement over denied coverage for ...
May 12, 2025 · Patients are eligible if between March 26, 2016, and Aug. 28, 2023, they received denials for either pre-certification of PBRT treatment or ...Missing: prior | Show results with:prior
[75]
Moral Hazard and Adverse Selection in Health Insurance | NBER
Apr 10, 2016 · When insured individuals bear a smaller share of their medical care costs, they are likely to consume more care. This is known as "moral hazard.
[76]
Disentangling Moral Hazard and Adverse Selection in Private ...
Adverse selection typically requires risk-pooling, while distortions driven by moral hazard would motivate additional cost-sharing. These issues are discussed ...
[77]
Fiscal Year 2024 Improper Payments Fact Sheet - CMS
Nov 15, 2024 · The Medicare Part C estimated improper payment rate was 5.61%, or $19.07 billion. · The Medicare Part D estimated improper payment rate was 3.70% ...
[78]
Coverage Denials: Government and Private Insurer Policies ... - NIH
We found 1.40% of services were denied and 0.68% of total spending was denied, with rates rising over time. Traditional Medicare's coverage rules accounted for ...
[79]
Health Care Fraud - FBI
Health care fraud is not a victimless crime. It affects everyone—individuals and businesses alike—and causes tens of billions of dollars in losses each year ...Health Care Fraud · Fraud Committed By Medical... · Fraud Committed By Patients...
[80]
The Challenge of Health Care Fraud - NHCAA
For employers—private and government alike—health care fraud increases the cost of providing insurance benefits to employees which, in turn, increases the ...False Patient Diagnoses... · Medical Identity Theft · A Federal Crime With Stiff...
[81]
Medicare Advantage Denies 17 Percent Of Initial Claims
Jun 2, 2025 · Among initial claim submissions, we found that 17.7 percent of claims were denied, which is 16.6 percent when weighted by claims dollars. We ...Abstract · Study Data And Methods · Study Results · Discussion
[82]
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson's Family and Friends Speak ...
Feb 18, 2025 · Outside of work, Thompson had two sons with his wife, Paulette, whom he met at Iowa. “I called them the Leave It to Beaver family,” recalls ...
[83]
Slain Healthcare CEO's Iowa and Minnesota Connections - KXRB
Dec 8, 2024 · Brian Thompson was born in Ames, Iowa on July 10th, 1974 to Dennis and Pat Thompson. He grew up near the small town of Jewell and graduated as ...
[84]
Who Is Brian Thompson's Wife, Paulette & How Many Kids Do They ...
Dec 5, 2024 · Brian Thompson shared two kids with his wife, Paulette Thompson. The couple raised their two sons, now 19 and 16, in their $1.5 million home in Maple Grove.
[85]
Who Is Brian Thompson's Family? Murdered CEO's Wife, Kids
Dec 12, 2024 · Brian Thompson and Wife Paulette Shared Two Sons The former couple share two sons, who were 19 years old and 16 years old as of the time of ...
[86]
Murdered UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson's Two Homes
Dec 5, 2024 · Murdered UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and His Wife Were Living in Separate Homes Less Than a Mile Apart When He Was Shot. By Charlie ...
[87]
UnitedHealthcare CEO Was Separated from Wife at Time of Killing
Dec 5, 2024 · Brian Thompson, 50, and his wife, Paulette Thompson, 51, were living in separate homes in Maple Grove, Minn., and had been for years.
[88]
Assassinated UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and wife had ...
Dec 5, 2024 · Brian Thompson, 50, and his wife, Paulette “Pauley” Thompson, had been dwelling in separate homes less than a mile from each other in Maple Grove, Minnesota, ...
[89]
Slain UnitedHealthcare CEO Was Secretly Separated From Wife
Dec 5, 2024 · The slain UnitedHealthcare CEO had a criminal record for drunk driving and was secretly separated from his wife for years before he was shot dead in Manhattan.
[90]
UnitedHealthcare CEO kept a low public profile. Then he was shot to ...
Dec 4, 2024 · Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the US but was unknown to millions of people his decisions affected.
[91]
Brian Thompson: The health insurance lifer who kept a deliberately ...
Dec 10, 2024 · Brian Thompson was a little-known health insurance lifer before this week. Now, he's known the world over as the executive who was assassinated in cold blood.
[92]
UnitedHealthcare C.E.O. Laid to Rest as Family Mourns Privately
Dec 10, 2024 · “He was just a farm kid living out in rural Iowa,” said Taylor Hill, 50, a close friend of Mr. Thompson from childhood. “Everybody got along ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[93]
Who is Brian Thompson, UnitedHealthcare CEO killed in New York?
Dec 4, 2024 · Thompson graduated from the University of Iowa in 1997 with a degree in business administration and accounting, according to LinkedIn. Flags ...
[94]
What to know about the fatal shooting of the UnitedHealthcare CEO
Dec 4, 2024 · Police said Thompson was heading to the company's annual investor conference at the New York Hilton Midtown around 6:45 a.m. when a person ...
[95]
UnitedHealthcare CEO fatally shot outside NYC hotel in ... - NBC News
Dec 4, 2024 · Brian Thompson, 50, was outside the hotel on Sixth Avenue when the suspect shot him in the chest and leg around 6:45 am.
[96]
Police: Suspect Used Ghost Gun with Silencer to Attack ...
Dec 6, 2024 · Police believe the suspect who shot and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan last Wednesday used a 9mm ghost gun with a silencer installed ...
[97]
After fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson ...
Dec 5, 2024 · Here is what we know so far. Shooting appeared to be targeted attack. Thompson, 50, suffered gunshot wounds to the back and to the leg at around ...
[98]
December 4, 2024, UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson fatally ...
Dec 5, 2024 · Here's what to know: Career: Thompson was appointed chief executive of UnitedHealthcare in 2021 and had been at the company since 2004. Prior ...
[99]
Despite previous threats, slain UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian ...
Dec 4, 2024 · The health insurance CEO gunned down in front of a busy New York City hotel on Wednesday didn't travel with any personal security detail, officials said.
[100]
Expert wonders why CEO Brian Thompson had no security in NYC
Dec 5, 2024 · Healthcare bigwigs like slain UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson regularly field serious threats that warrant security protection, ...
[101]
UnitedHealthcare CEO shot and killed in New York City - POLITICO
Dec 4, 2024 · UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot Wednesday morning outside of a Hilton hotel in New York City in what police believe was a targeted attack.Missing: details | Show results with:details
[102]
What we know about Luigi Mangione, suspect charged ... - CBS News
Apr 1, 2025 · First-degree murder charges in New York are usually reserved for the killing of law enforcement officers. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to the ...
[103]
CEO murder suspect Luigi Mangione fingerprints, gun match those ...
Dec 11, 2024 · ... charged in Pennsylvania for allegedly possessing an untraceable "ghost" gun. ... Whether Mangione has a personal connection to UnitedHealthcare ...
[104]
What is a ghost gun, like the one found with person of interest in ...
Dec 9, 2024 · New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Altoona police arrested Mangione on firearm charges, after receiving a tip. She said he is ...Missing: denial | Show results with:denial
[105]
Luigi Mangione's diary reveals the motive for killing United ... - CNN
Jun 4, 2025 · Luigi Mangione's diary reveals the motive for killing United Healthcare's CEO, prosecutors say ... Luigi Mangione, charged with murder in the ...Missing: background | Show results with:background
[106]
A suspect holding a handwritten manifesto is charged in the ... - OPB
Dec 10, 2024 · He is facing charges that include murder, illegal possession of a firearm and lying about his identity. At the time of his arrest, Mangione had ...
[107]
Richard S. Nachwalter, MD Insights on Luigi Mangione's Back Pain ...
Dec 12, 2024 · The Reuters article highlighted that Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old Ivy League graduate, allegedly suffered from L5-S1 isthmic spondylolisthesis.Missing: privileged background
[108]
Luigi Mangione, Suspect in CEO Killing, Withdrew From a Life of ...
Dec 11, 2024 · “His spine was kind of misaligned,” he said. “He said his lower vertebrae were almost like a half-inch off, and I think it pinched a nerve.” Mr.
[109]
Luigi Mangione: From privileged upbringing to murder suspect
Dec 11, 2024 · At Surfbreak, Martin learned Mangione had severe back pain from childhood that interfered with many aspects of his life, including surfing, Ryan ...
[110]
D.A. Bragg Announces Murder Indictment Of Luigi Mangione
Dec 17, 2024 · “We allege that Luigi Mangione carried out the brazen, targeted and fatal shooting of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Midtown Manhattan.Missing: link | Show results with:link
[111]
Luigi Mangione: Who is he and what is he being charged with? - BBC
Apr 25, 2025 · In New York, Mr Mangione has been charged with 11 crimes, including murder and terrorism. He also was charged in Pennsylvania with forgery, ...
[112]
How police caught the suspect charged in fatal shooting of ...
Dec 9, 2024 · The suspect charged in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania.
[113]
Gun CEO killing suspect Luigi Mangione had upon arrest ... - CNN
Dec 11, 2024 · The 3D-printed gun that health care CEO killing suspect Luigi Mangione had when he was arrested this week in Pennsylvania matches three ...
[114]
Luigi Mangione fingerprints match crime-scene prints, police say
Dec 11, 2024 · Police have found a positive match between the fingerprints of a suspect accused of fatally shooting healthcare insurance CEO Brian Thompson in New York
[115]
Luigi Mangione Charged With The Stalking And Murder Of ...
Dec 19, 2024 · Luigi Mangione Charged With The Stalking And Murder Of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson And Use Of A Silencer In A Crime Of Violence.
[116]
'Terrorism' charge on Mangione dismissed in health insurance ...
Sep 16, 2025 · Mangione, 27, still faces charges of second-degree murder and eight other criminal counts related to Thompson's death in December. Justice ...Missing: assassination | Show results with:assassination
[117]
Evidence at UnitedHealthcare CEO murder scene is linked to ... - PBS
Dec 11, 2024 · Police said fingerprints and shell casings collected at the scene of last week's murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson are directly connected to their ...Missing: forensic | Show results with:forensic
[118]
UnitedHealthcare names Tim Noel new CEO after Brian Thompson ...
Jan 23, 2025 · UnitedHealthcare on Thursday tapped company veteran Tim Noel as its new CEO following the targeted killing of its former top executive, Brian Thompson.Missing: interim | Show results with:interim
[119]
UnitedHealth Spent $1.7 Million on Executive Security After Brian ...
Apr 23, 2025 · UnitedHealth Group spent nearly $1.7 million on security for its top executives in the final weeks of 2024 following the murder of CEO Brian Thompson.
[120]
Companies step up security in wake of UnitedHealthcare CEO killing
Dec 7, 2024 · Dozens of companies have expanded armed security protection for C-suite executives, including permanent security presences, in response to the ...
[121]
UnitedHealth Group Statement on Today's Events
Dec 4, 2024 · UnitedHealth Group today issued the following statement: “We are deeply saddened and shocked at the passing of our dear friend and colleague Brian Thompson.
[122]
UnitedHealth chief tells staff, "Brian was one of the good guys"
Dec 11, 2024 · UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty addressed his staff about the recent murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in a new email on Wednesday.
[123]
UnitedHealthcare workers pay tribute to slain CEO Brian Thompson
Dec 4, 2024 · Medical coder Victoria Claire of Pulaski, Wis., said that “a bright light was extinguished today” with Thompson's killing. “BT was always ...Missing: condemnations | Show results with:condemnations
[124]
White House condemns 'horrific' killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO
Dec 10, 2024 · ... condemns the “horrific” killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Jean-Pierre also declined to answer follow-up questions about ...Missing: bipartisan | Show results with:bipartisan
[125]
'Yes, I condemn murder': Michael Moore responds to Luigi ...
Dec 16, 2024 · “Yes, I condemn murder, and that's why I condemn America's broken, vile, rapacious, bloodthirsty, unethical, immoral health care industry …” “ ...
[126]
A Very Un-American Response to the Murder of Brian Thompson
Dec 9, 2024 · Police at the site of the fatal shooting of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan on December 04, 2024.
[127]
Insurance leaders pay tribute to Brian Thompson | news
Dec 5, 2024 · A leading US captive insurance broker has paid tribute to Brian Thompson, the UnitedHealthcare chief executive officer who was murdered in ...
[128]
How the internet cheered the UnitedHealth shooting suspect ... - Axios
Dec 10, 2024 · Even before police arrested Luigi Mangione in connection with the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, some on the internet were hailing him as a 21 ...
[129]
The dark fandom behind CEO murder suspect Luigi Mangione - BBC
Dec 13, 2024 · Online adulation painting Luigi Mangione as a folk hero and fuelled by health system anger has worried authorities.
[130]
'Parasites had it coming': Everything about Luigi Mangione's ...
Dec 10, 2024 · ... Brian Thompson on Dec. 4, 2024, in a taxi. (Courtesy of New York ... “The real hero in this story is the person who called 911 at McDonald's this ...
[131]
Reaction to C.E.O. Killing Exposes Frustrations With Health System
Dec 10, 2024 · And now that the identity of the suspect, Luigi Mangione, 26, has been revealed and more photos of him have emerged, he is being defended or ...
[132]
Four in 10 Young People Say Brian Thompson Killing Was Acceptable
Dec 17, 2024 · Four in 10 young people believe the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was "acceptable," according to an Emerson College poll.
[133]
Exclusive poll: Throw the book at UnitedHealthcare CEO murderer
Jan 16, 2025 · Nearly two-thirds of Americans think the Dec. 4 murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was wrong, and the suspected killer should be prosecuted to the ...
[134]
UnitedHealth executive security spending amid Brian ... - STAT News
Apr 21, 2025 · UnitedHealth Group spent nearly $1.7 million on security for its top executives last year, and it appears the expenses all occurred in the final weeks of 2024.
[135]
After UnitedHealthcare CEO's killing, conversations around security ...
Dec 11, 2024 · Now, in light of Thompson's death, healthcare organizations may also consider giving security leaders direct access to the CEO, Clay says. He ...<|separator|>
[136]
Healthcare industry rethinks risk after murder of UnitedHealth exec
Dec 5, 2024 · Health insurance companies are reassessing the risks for their top executives after the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on Wednesday in Manhattan.
[137]
US health reform is tough to pass. Can the brazen killing of a CEO ...
Dec 11, 2024 · Thompson was brazenly murdered in midtown Manhattan just before the company's annual investor conference, leaving behind a widow and two sons.
[138]
UnitedHealth Group CEO argues for health care reform in op-ed
Dec 13, 2024 · UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty authored an op-ed calling for health care reform after his colleague, UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, was murdered ...
[139]
UnitedHealth Group says slain CEO Brian Thompson was 'one of ...
Dec 11, 2024 · A week after UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed in New York, the health insurer's parent company is praising him as one of the good guys.
[140]
UnitedHealth Group Statement on Our Friend and Colleague Brian ...
Dec 5, 2024 · UnitedHealth Group today issued the following statement: While our hearts are broken, we have been touched by the huge outpouring of kindness and support.
[141]
Healthcare Executives Vow to Look At Changes After Brian ...
Dec 15, 2024 · He stressed that Thompson's work aimed to make healthcare more affordable and compassionate, a legacy the company pledges to uphold. "The ...