Fingerprints and bullet casings link arrested Luigi Mangione to murder of CEO, mother had reported him missing

The New York police announced on Wednesday that the fingerprints of Luigi Mangione, 26, were found on a bottle of water and an energy bar that were thrown away near the murder scene in Manhattan. Detectives had already seen on camera footage how the then unidentified gunman had bought it in a Starbucks half an hour before the murder. The bullet casings – on which “delay”, “deny” and “depose” were written – match the 3D-printed firearm that Mangione had in his backpack when he was arrested on Monday, police said.

On Tuesday, Mangione, who is incarcerated in Pennsylvania, challenged his transfer to New York, where he has been charged with murder. His attorney Thomas Dickey denied Mangione’s involvement in the murder and said his client would plead not guilty. “I have seen no evidence that he is the shooter,” he said. On Wednesday, he reiterated that he had not seen the evidence that police said they had, including texts that Mangione had with him.

These texts seem to provide insight into the motive for the murder of Brian Thompson (50), the CEO of the largest private health insurer in the US. In a three-page handwritten text he criticized the American health insurance system, and in a notebook he wrote down plans for the murder. For example, he decided to go to the investor conference and not use a bomb because it would endanger too many innocent lives, but to be more “targeted” by shooting the CEO.

He saw this as a symbolic action against the alleged corruption and power games of health insurers, and the “greed of companies” in general, the police believe. He also referenced “Unabomber” Ted Kaczynski in his notes.

In some of his lyrics, he referenced his back pain from an injury he suffered in July 2023 and discussed its difficulties, according to New York Police Chief Joseph Kenny. “So we are investigating whether the insurance industry denied his claim or did not fully assist him.”

Missing

Mangione had disappeared from the radar of those close to him in recent months. His mother had called San Francisco police on November 18 to report him missing. She said she hadn’t spoken to him since July 1, and that she had tried calling him repeatedly, but his voicemail was full. Her son lived in San Francisco and worked remotely for TrueCar, she said.

In the meantime, the murder suspect continues to receive a lot of support from Americans who accuse health insurers of profiteering. While Mangione’s lawyer says he will not accept donations from citizens for legal costs, the New York Police Department is investigating “Wanted” posters from company executives.

The posters, which were hung in various locations around Manhattan, featured images of UnitedHealth’s Brian Thompson, as well as executives from American Express, Goldman Sachs, Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase. Thompson’s posters were crossed out with a red X.

In addition to the posters, police are aware of an increase in online threats against executives, an NYPD spokesperson said.

The NYPD says it is alert to “the risk that a wide range of extremists may view Mangione as a martyr and an example to follow.” “The rhetoric may indicate an increased threat to executives in the near term.”