By Amanda Castro
Associate News Editor
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Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old suspect in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is currently being held in maximum security at the Huntingdon State Correctional Institution in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.According to the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, Mangione is not under suicide watch or placed in solitary confinement, per CBS News reporting. However, he remains isolated from other inmates and is confined to a cell by himself. The department also confirmed that Mangione has not displayed any violent behavior since his detention. Mangione was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on charges unrelated to the murder, and authorities are working on his extradition to New York, where he faces charges for the fatal shooting of Thompson on December 4 in Midtown Manhattan.
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Dec 12, 2024 at 04:57 PM EST
‘Too hot to convict’: Is Luigi Mangione getting fan mail in prison?
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Luigi Mangione, the suspected shooter of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has amassed an unlikely internet fanbase, but has that translated to fan mail in jail?
No, according to Maria A. Bivens, Press Secretary for the PA Department of Corrections, who told Newsweek in an email on Thursday that Mangione has not received any physical or online fan mail.
Mangione, 26, is behind bars at the State Correctional Institution at Huntingdon in Pennsylvania and is charged with murder in Thompson's death.
The Ivy League grad's appearance, including his six-pack abs, bushy eyebrows, and bright smile, has taken over the internet, turning him into an online sex symbol.
Read the full story by Erin Keller on Newsweek.
Dec 12, 2024 at 04:53 PM EST
Understanding the writ of habeas corpus in the U.S. legal system
The writ of habeas corpus, a fundamental legal principle, allows individuals to challenge the legality of their detention or imprisonment. Rooted in the Magna Carta of 1215, it emerged as a safeguard against arbitrary detention by authorities.
In modern U.S. law, the writ can be used to contest the validity of state or federal imprisonment, often in post-conviction cases, and it serves to ensure that detentions are not in violation of the law. Habeas corpus proceedings focus on the legality of the detention itself, rather than the guilt or innocence of the detainee.
Federal courts can grant habeas relief for individuals in custody, provided they have exhausted all state remedies. While its use has evolved over time, especially in relation to prisoners' rights, habeas corpus remains a crucial tool for safeguarding individual freedoms against unlawful state action.
Dec 12, 2024 at 04:43 PM EST
Hearing scheduled for December 30 in Mangione case
The Pennsylvania Courts have confirmed to Newsweek that it has scheduled a hearing for December 30, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. in Blair County Courtroom Number 4 in Hollidaysburg.
The hearing will address the petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus and petition for the imposition of bail filed by Luigi Mangione, who is accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
This hearing follows the defendant's request for bail reconsideration while he remains in custody.
Dec 12, 2024 at 04:39 PM EST
Support for suspect grows as online defense fund raises over $50,000
As New York City prosecutors work to bring murder charges against Luigi Mangione for the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, supporters of the 26-year-old suspect have raised tens of thousands of dollars in donations for his legal defense, ABC News is reporting. According to sources, an anonymous group called "The December 4th Legal Committee" launched a crowdfunding campaign on the GiveSendGo website, which had raised over $50,000 by Thursday afternoon.
The group stated they were not celebrating violence but believed in Mangione's right to fair legal representation. The campaign, which has received support from more than 1,500 anonymous donors, has sparked concern among law enforcement, as some messages of support appear to glorify the suspect's actions. One donor, who identified as "A frustrated citizen," thanked Mangione for "sparking awareness and thought" in the nation.
The fund was briefly taken down before being reinstated today.
Dec 12, 2024 at 04:30 PM EST
Why Luigi Mangione may not get $45,000 donated to his legal defense
Money raised for Luigi Mangione's defense against charges of killing UnitedHealthcare's CEO may end up going to what his supporters are calling "other political prisoners."
A fundraiser for Mangione, who is currently in custody, has raised over $45,000, but his attorney is not sure he'll accept the funds.
At a press conference Tuesday, Mangione's lawyer Thomas Dickey said "I don't know," when asked if he would accept public donations from individuals seeking to fund his client's defense.
Brian Thompson, 50, was killed outside a Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan on December 4. The suspect fled the scene following the shooting. Luigi Mangione, 26, was taken into custody at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania on Monday in connection with the shooting. He was later charged with second-degree murder in New York and is also facing charges for alleged gun and fraud offenses in Pennsylvania. His lawyer has indicated he will plead not guilty and that he will fight an extradition request from New York.
The fundraiser for Mangione's legal fund posted on GiveSendGo states: "We are not here to celebrate violence, but we do believe in the constitutional right of fair legal representation." The page states that if Mangione rejects the funds, they will instead go to "other U.S. political prisoners."
The term "political prisoner" refers to people who are being held in custody for political beliefs or actions. In the U.S, prisoners are rarely held for political purposes due to freedom of speech, but the term has been used to describe individuals who appear to be taking a stance against perceived corruption. Mangione has gained support for his perceived fight against what has been described as corruption within the healthcare industry.
Newsweek reached out to Dickey and GiveSendGo for further comment.
Read the full story by Jenna Sundel on Newsweek.
Dec 12, 2024 at 04:20 PM EST
Luigi Mangione’s middle school teacher says ‘unthinkable’ he could be behind shooting
Luigi Mangione's middle school teacher says she was still in shock after learning that he is suspected of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Gilman School teacher Liz Sesler-Beckman said she remembered Mangione, now 26, as a "kind, well-liked person," and was never a student that she had to worry about.
"I just can't imagine what drove him to this," she told WICU. "It just doesn't make any sense.
"It's like a cognitive dissonance between the person that we all knew and the person who would commit such a heinous crime," she added.
She said she was devastated for the victim's family as well as Mangione's family and the Gilman school community.
"It's just unthinkable that he would resort to that kind of violence," she added.
Dec 12, 2024 at 04:11 PM EST
What has filmmaker Michael Moore said about UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting?
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Luigi Mangione, the alleged killer of UnitedHealthcare's CEO, mentioned filmmaker Michael Moore in his manifesto as an example of someone who has "illuminated the corruption and greed" of the United States health system.
Moore investigated the healthcare industry in his 2007 film Sicko.
In Mangione's manifesto, he wrote, "Many have illuminated the corruption and greed (e.g.: Rosenthal, Moore), decades ago and the problems simply remain."
Newsweek reached out to Moore for comment via email on Thursday.
Read the full story by Mandy Teheri on Newsweek.
Dec 12, 2024 at 03:59 PM EST
Fellow inmates chant ‘Luigi’s conditions suck’ and ‘Free Luigi’
Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has reportedly become the subject of chants from fellow inmates at the Huntingdon State Correctional Institution in Pennsylvania.
According to a new interview with NewsNation, some of Mangione's prison mates have been heard yelling phrases like "Luigi's conditions suck" and "Free Luigi."
Dec 12, 2024 at 03:41 PM EST
What Luigi Mangione’s defense could look like
Luigi Mangione's lawyer has indicated he will plead not guilty to murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, and experts are already speculating about his likely defense strategy when he goes on trial in New York.
Thompson, 50, was shot dead by a masked gunman as he walked alone to his company's annual investor conference at the New York Hilton Midtown at around 6:45 a.m. on Wednesday, December 4.
Mangione, 26, was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania after a McDonald's customer recognized him from police photos of the killer. Mangione is now fighting extradition from the state and is consulting with his attorney, Thomas Dickey.
Newsweek sought email comment from Dickey on Thursday about his potential legal strategy.
Read the full story by Sean O'Driscoll on Newsweek.
Dec 12, 2024 at 03:18 PM EST
Mangione comes from a wealthy and prominent family in Baltimore
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Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old suspect in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, hails from a wealthy and prominent family in Baltimore, Maryland. His father, Louis Mangione, now oversees much of the family's business empire, which was established by his late father, Nicholas Mangione. The family's holdings include Hayfields Country Club, Turf Valley Resort, Lorien Health Services, and local radio station WCBM.
Nicholas Mangione, who immigrated from Italy to Baltimore's Little Italy neighborhood, built his fortune and raised a large family, including 10 children and 37 grandchildren. Following his death in 2008, Louis Mangione assumed leadership of the family businesses. A 2022 public filing for the Mangione Family Foundation lists Louis as vice president, with his mother, Mary, serving as president until her passing in 2023.
The Mangione family's business model emphasized a collaborative approach, with each family member taking responsibility for different business sectors.
Despite this close-knit structure, it was reported that Luigi had not been in contact with his family for several months prior to his arrest. His mother filed a missing person report in November, stating that she hadn't heard from him since July.
Dec 12, 2024 at 03:07 PM EST
Mangione held under maximum security at SCI Huntingdon in Pennsylvania
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Luigi Mangione is being held under maximum security conditions at the SCI Huntingdon prison in Pennsylvania, according to correctional officials.
While Mangione is not violent and is not on suicide watch or under any psychological orders, he remains in a single cell with no interaction with other inmates.
However, officials clarified that he is not in solitary confinement. Mangione has not yet had outside time but is expected to receive it at a later date, the officials told CBS News.
Dec 12, 2024 at 01:56 PM EST
Luigi Mangione may face additional charges, Alvin Bragg says
Luigi Mangioni, who was arrested earlier this week and charged in last week's killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, could soon be facing additional counts, according to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
Mangioni, 26, is being held without bail in Pennsylvania on gun and forgery charges after being arrested at a McDonald's restaurant on Monday morning. He is fighting extradition to New York, where Bragg's office has filed second-degree murder, criminal possession of a forged instrument and several gun charges against him.
Bragg predicted during an interview with ABC News on Wednesday that Mangione's extradition would be successful and suggested that prosecutors working to "bring him to justice" might file new charges when a potential motive in the killing of Thompson is established.
Read the full story by Aila Slisco on Newsweek.
Dec 12, 2024 at 01:42 PM EST
Brian Thompson’s friends and colleagues paint picture of devoted family man
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Friends and family of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson remembered the 50-year-old father of two as he was laid to rest during a private funeral service in Maple Grove, Minnesota on Monday, the same day that the arrest of his alleged assassin drew the nation's attention.
As Luigi Mangione was being detained in Pennsylvania amid an outpouring of online support for the suspected killer, those close to Thompson quietly mourned his loss at a Lutheran church in his Minnesota hometown.
Thompson was fatally shot outside a Hilton hotel in midtown Manhattan as he was on his way to an investor conference on the morning of December 4. Despite the shock of the brazen public execution, his death has spurred widespread anger at the health insurance industry and its top officials, with many even defending the gunman as a folk hero who was justified in his violence.
But those who were close to Thompson during his life say the picture being painted of the 50-year-old husband and father does not reflect the man they knew.
Dec 12, 2024 at 01:25 PM EST
Police investigating when Luigi Mangione’s family realized he was the suspect
Police are investigating when Luigi Mangione's family realized he was the suspect wanted in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry was asked if Mangione's family had recognized him and contacted the authorities, during Wednesday's Morning Joe.
Daughtry did not confirm if the Mangione family had been in touch but said that police are still going through the hundreds of tips they'd received since the shooting.
"But thank God for the customer that was in the McDonalds," Daughtry added, referring to the employee who called the police after spotting Mangione.
Dec 12, 2024 at 01:11 PM EST
Luigi Mangione’s Tinder surfaces: What we know
Luigi Mangione is under heightened scrutiny as details of his personal life emerge, including activity on the dating app Tinder.
Mangione, 26, was arrested on Monday and charged with the murder of UnitedHealthcare's chief executive Brian Thompson, who was fatally shot last week in New York City. He is expected to plead not guilty.
Following the shooting, it emerged that Luigi Mangione is from a prominent Maryland real-estate family. His grandfather, Nicholas Mangione, was a self-made real-estate developer, owning country clubs, nursing homes and a radio station before he died in 2008, according to an obituary in The Baltimore Sun.
But that was not the first thing to take the internet by storm. After his arrest in a Pennsylvania McDonald's, photos of Mangione exploded all over social media platforms, with the 26-year-old becoming a sex symbol for some.
Mangione's appearance also attracted attention from late-night show hosts, with After Midnight host Taylor Tomlinson describing him as "sexy."
"All of the other late night shows already covered the fact that everyone thinks the shooter is hot," Tomlinson said, "But I feel confident that I'm the only late night host who can honestly say: 'Would.'"
She continued: "It turns out he actually got caught because an employee recognized him and phoned the police. Do you have any idea how attractive you have to be for a McDonald's employee to be like, 'Wait, okay, you being in here is suspicious.'"
"I'm surprised that anyone turned this guy in considering all the thirsting after him online. I mean every post about this guy just straight-up calls him sexy," said Tomlinson, showing a tweet referring to Mangione as a "person of interest in more ways than one."
Read the full story by Martha McHardy on Newsweek.
Dec 12, 2024 at 01:01 PM EST
Polymarket offering odds on Luigi Mangione’s plea, extradition
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Predictive betting website Polymarket is offering odds on the future of homicide suspect Luigi Mangione.
Mangione was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on Monday morning, five days after UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot in New York City. He is being held without bail on gun and forgery charges in Pennsylvania and is currently fighting extradition to New York, where he faces murder charges for Thompson's death.
Polymarket users have responded to the news by placing bets on Mangione's next moves, including whether or not the suspect will plead guilty and when he might be extradited to New York. More than a dozen Mangione-based bets had a trading volume of over $700,000 as of Wednesday evening.
Odds on the site, which are determined by bets placed on an outcome instead of outside factors, suggest that bettors expect Mangione to plead not guilty and to avoid extradition until the new year. At the time of publication, the suspect was shown with a 33 percent chance of entering a guilty plea and a 23 percent chance of being extradited to New York before 2025.
Read the full story by Aila Slisco on Newsweek.
Dec 12, 2024 at 12:49 PM EST
Pennsylvania corrections official confirms Mangione has not received fan mail in jail
Maria A. Bivens, Press Secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, confirmed in an email to Newsweek that Luigi Mangione has not received any fan mail while incarcerated.
Mangione, who is facing charges for the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is being held in Pennsylvania as authorities work on his extradition to New York.
Dec 12, 2024 at 12:46 PM EST
Former classmate shocked by Luigi Mangione’s alleged involvement in CEO’s murder
Luigi Mangione's former classmates from the Gilman School in Baltimore, Maryland, were shocked by his alleged involvement in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
A former classmate, who requested anonymity, described Mangione as a highly intelligent and social individual, noting that he was the class valedictorian in 2016. "He was a really nice guy. Highly intelligent," the ex-classmate said, adding that the news of Mangione's arrest came as a complete surprise.
Despite going separate ways after high school, the former peer said they remained connected on social media, where recent posts from Mangione have sparked confusion and disbelief.
"It's definitely weird stuff, a little surreal," the classmate said, reflecting the collective shock shared by many who knew Mangione as a smart, well-liked student.
Dec 12, 2024 at 12:34 PM EST
Prosecutors present evidence to grand jury in case against Mangione: Report
Prosecutors at the Manhattan District Attorney's office have begun presenting evidence to a grand jury in their effort to secure an indictment against Luigi Mangione for the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, sources confirmed to ABC News.
Due to the confidentiality of grand jury proceedings, the Manhattan District Attorney's office declined to comment on the matter. An indictment could bolster the case for Mangione's extradition, which the 26-year-old is currently contesting.
Dec 12, 2024 at 12:27 PM EST
Dating was not possible for Mangione due to back problems, says roommate
Luigi Mangione's roommate and the founder of Honolulu-based co-living space Surfbreak, said that the 26-year-old was regularly in severe pain from back issues.
"His spine was kind of misaligned," R.J. Martin told The New York Times. "He said his lower vertebrae were almost like a half-inch off, and I think it pinched a nerve."
Due to the pain, Martin added that Mangione "knew that dating and being physically intimate with his back condition wasn't possible."
Despite being in pain, Mangione was an ideal community member who was upbeat and eager to give back, Martin added.
Mangione left Hawaii and received spinal surgery in 2023. Martin said Mangione texted him photos of the back surgery.
The friends exchanged sporadic texts over subsequent months but never saw each other in person after that.
Dec 12, 2024 at 12:16 PM EST
NYC Mayor says Mangione will be prosecuted ‘to the fullest extent’
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New York City Mayor Eric Adams said today that Luigi Mangione will be prosecuted "to the fullest extent of the law."
Adams was speaking at a public safety news conference Wednesday when he thanked the detectives who worked on the UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting.
Without referring to Mangione by name, Adams added, "We look forward to prosecuting him to the fullest extent of the law."
Manhattan prosecutors unveiled a warrant that reveals Mangione is charged with second-degree murder, two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, criminal possession of a forged instrument, and criminal possession of a weapon in the third-degree
Dec 12, 2024 at 12:05 PM EST
Kevin O’Leary issues warning to CEOs after Luigi Mangione reaction
Businessman Kevin O'Leary has issued a warning to CEOs following the public reaction to Luigi Mangione's murder charge.
The investor who appears on Shark Tank told CNN on Wednesday that instead of beefing up their personal security, CEOs need to "read the room."
These statements were made after 26-year-old Mangione was charged with killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a hotel in New York City on December 4. Mangione, who is yet to face trial, has been met with support and empathy from some members of the public who say they understand how someone's anger at the healthcare system could lead them to extreme violence.
Read the full story by Sophie Clark on Newsweek.
Dec 12, 2024 at 11:52 AM EST
Ed Markey calls for the ban of 3D-printed guns
Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey spoke against 3D-printed guns after the murder of Brian Thompson.
"3D printed ghost guns are untraceable homemade weapons that can evade metal detectors," he wrote on X, linking to a Newsweek article. "We must pass my 3D Printed Gun Safety Act and stop the proliferation of these dangerous guns."
Dec 12, 2024 at 11:28 AM EST
McDonald’s workers who identified Luigi Mangione get private security
The McDonald's restaurant where the man charged in the killing of UnitedHealthcare's CEO was arrested on Monday has hired private security to protect workers, Newsweek can reveal.
Two private security guards were in the restaurant in Altoona, Pennsylvania, when a reporter visited on Wednesday.
Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old Ivy League graduate from a prominent Maryland real estate family, was arrested in the restaurant on Monday after a massive manhunt for the man who gunned down Brian Thompson, 50, as he walked alone to his company's annual investor conference at the New York Hilton Midtown in New York City on the morning of December 4.
Authorities said a customer in the restaurant thought he matched the description of the suspect in Thompson's killing and notified an employee, who called 911.
Police in Altoona have said that officers and locals involved in the arrest have received threats since Mangione's arrest and the restaurant was flooded with negative reviews. Google removed a number of disparaging one-star reviews about the restaurant, many of which included mentions about "rats" in the kitchen.
Read the full story by Khaleda Rahman and Joshua Rhett Miller on Newsweek.
Dec 12, 2024 at 11:18 AM EST
Former RFK Jr. adviser: ‘You won’t convince me Luigi Mangione is a hero’
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s former senior adviser Link Lauren has shared his views on Luigi Mangione.
"You won't convince me Luigi Mangione is a hero," Lauren wrote on X. "He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He could've gone to law school and devoted his entire career to fighting for the little guy.
Dec 12, 2024 at 11:00 AM EST
Mangione’s lawyer plans to challenge forensic evidence in CEO killing case
The attorney for Luigi Mangione, charged with the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, plans to challenge the forensic evidence linking his client to the crime scene.
New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced that shell casings from the scene matched a ghost gun found on Mangione, and his fingerprints were linked to a water bottle and a Kind bar wrapper near the shooting site.
However, defense attorney Thomas Dickey expressed doubts about the evidence's reliability. "I still haven't seen that evidence. Lawyers need to see evidence," he said in an interview with CNN's Erin Burnett OutFront on Wednesday. He added that "saying you have something and getting that admitted into court are two different things."
Dickey also questioned the credibility of fingerprint and ballistic evidence. "Those two sciences have come under criticism in the past, relative to their credibility, their truthfulness, their accuracy," he said. "We need to see how they collected it and how much of it matches."
He emphasized his intent to bring in experts to review the evidence. "We would have experts take a look at that, and then we would challenge its admissibility and accuracy," Dickey explained. "We would get our day in court, and we can examine that evidence and challenge it all the way."
Dec 12, 2024 at 10:49 AM EST
NYPD official compares Thompson killing to domestic terror attack
New York Police Department Deputy Commissioner Rebecca Weiner on Wednesday compared the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson to a domestic terror attack, citing the intense online vitriol and the glorification of the suspected killer, Luigi Mangione.
Speaking at a panel hosted by the Atlantic Council, Weiner emphasized that the response to Thompson's killing mirrors that of law enforcement's reaction to domestic terror incidents. "We've seen a torrent of online vitriol since last Wednesday, and the lionization of the alleged perpetrator as a hero," she said.
Mangione, 26, was charged with murder after his arrest Monday in Altoona, Pennsylvania, where he was recognized from wanted posters. Weiner warned that the public support for Mangione's actions could inspire further violence, stating, "This one has all the hallmarks of something that is going to inspire and contribute to a contagion effect."
Dec 12, 2024 at 10:37 AM EST
For Luigi Mangione’s defense, ‘sympathy’ from the jury could save him
Jurors may acquit Luigi Mangione, even if they think he is guilty, a former federal prosecutor has said.
Neama Rahmani told Newsweek that jurors may be swayed by an outpouring of public sympathy for Mangione, who is accused of gunning down the CEO of medical insurance company UnitedHealthcare. Newsweek sought email comment from Mangione's attorney, Thomas Dickey, on Thursday.
UnitedHealthcare CEO, Brian Thompson, 50, was shot dead by a masked gunman as he walked alone to his company's annual investor conference at the New York Hilton Midtown at around 6:45 a.m. on Wednesday, December 4.
The killing of Thompson sparked a huge search, with the New York Police Department publicizing surveillance images of the suspect and a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. On Friday, the FBI offered an additional $50,000 reward.
Luigi Mangione, 26, was arrested on Monday in Altoona, Pennsylvania after a McDonald's customer reportedly alerted an employee after recognizing him from surveillance camera images that the NYPD had publicized. That employee then called 911, authorities said.
"The evidence against Mangione is strong, but he has engendered a lot of sympathy. The case presents a real risk of jury nullification," Rahmani said. Jury nullification occurs when a jury knows there is enough evidence to convict an accused but acquits them because they feel sympathy for the accused or their cause. Observers are asking whether Mangione was driven by debilitating back pain that friends say he underwent surgery for recently.
Read the full story by Sean O'Driscoll on Newsweek.
Dec 12, 2024 at 10:25 AM EST
All about Thomas Dickey, Mangione’s lawyer
Thomas Dickey, an experienced trial lawyer with 41 years in private practice, has been hired to represent Luigi Mangione, charged in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. A graduate of Altoona High School, Saint Francis University, and Ohio Northern University College of Law, Dickey has a broad legal background, having worked both in private practice and with the Blair County Public Defenders Office.
Dickey, who has handled a wide range of criminal cases, from DUIs to death penalty murders, is also a legal analyst for CNN and other media outlets. His work has been highlighted in the state legal journal The Legal Intelligencer, and he noted in a recent interview that he is one of the few attorneys in Pennsylvania qualified to handle death penalty cases.
Dec 12, 2024 at 10:14 AM EST
Message from UHC CEO Andrew Witty in full
UnitedHealthcare CEO Andrew Witty has praised the company's late CEO, Brian Thompson, in a leaked memo to staff, calling him "one of the good guys" with "a profoundly positive impact on the lives of so many people."
Witty further described Thompson as "one of the smartest guys" and "one of the best guys," reflecting on his leadership and influence.
Dec 12, 2024 at 10:06 AM EST
Luigi Mangione: How friends, family describe UnitedHealth shooting suspect
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Luigi Mangione's friends and family members are stunned that the 26-year-old Ivy League grad is the suspected shooter of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
A handful of Mangione's friends have spoken to the media about him following his arrest on Monday and subsequent murder charge, saying the Mangione they knew was a smart, quiet intellectual who struggled with back pain after a 2023 spinal surgery.
In their first and only statement at the time of publication, Mangione's family said Tuesday, "Unfortunately, we cannot comment on news reports regarding Luigi Mangione. We only know what we have read in the media."
The statement, released by Mangione's cousin, Maryland lawmaker Nino Mangione, continued. "Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi's arrest. We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved. We are devastated by this news."
Read the full story by Erin Keller and Nick Mordowanec on Newsweek.
Dec 12, 2024 at 09:54 AM EST
Manhattan DA vows to extradite suspected killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has pledged to extradite Luigi Mangione, the suspected killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, to New York to face justice.
In an interview with ABC News on Wednesday, Bragg assured that Mangione would be brought to New York for court proceedings. He also suggested that additional charges could be added as more details about the motives and investigation emerge.
Mangione, 26, is currently charged with second-degree murder, criminal possession of a weapon, and criminal possession of a forged instrument in connection with Thompson's killing.
Mangione, arrested in Pennsylvania, pleaded not guilty to the charges and was denied bail. His defense attorney has indicated that Mangione will not plead guilty to the charges in New York.
Dec 12, 2024 at 09:43 AM EST
Exclusive: UnitedHealth chief tells staff, ‘Brian was one of the good guys’
UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty addressed his staff about the recent murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in a new email on Wednesday, describing the late executive as "one of the good guys."
Witty, who oversees the conglomerate, mourned the death of his colleague and friend in a new message to employees that was obtained by Newsweek.
"Brian was one of the good guys. He was certainly one of the smartest guys. I think he was one of the best guys. I'm going to miss him. And I am incredibly proud to call him my friend," Witty wrote.
Thompson, who was named chief executive of UnitedHealth's insurance division in April 2021, was fatally shot in a December 4 attack while walking into an investor meeting at a Hilton hotel in midtown Manhattan.
In the wake of the shooting, there has been an outpour of anger towards the insurance industry for denying medical claims, with some going as far as cheering for Thompson's death and arguing that the shooter was justified in his actions.
On Monday, the same day that Thompson was laid to rest in his Minnesota hometown, officials arrested 26-year-old Luigi Mangione as the suspected shooter. He has been charged in both New York and Pennsylvania, where he was found at a McDonald's. Mangione is currently in the process of fighting his extradition to New York.
Read the full story by Katherine Fung and Joshua Rhett Miller on Newsweek.
Dec 12, 2024 at 09:34 AM EST
Senators Hawley and Warren introduce bill targeting pharmacy benefit managers
Sens. Josh Hawley and Elizabeth Warren are teaming up on a new bill aimed at pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), adding to the growing scrutiny of the healthcare industry in the wake of the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
The bipartisan Patients Before Monopolies Act seeks to prohibit joint ownership of PBMs and pharmacies, arguing that such ownership allows healthcare corporations to "enrich themselves at the expense of patients and independent pharmacies," according to a press release.
The bill is also being introduced in the House by Representatives Jake Auchincloss and Diana Harshbarger.
The legislation comes after the Dec. 4 shooting of Thompson, who was killed outside a Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan. Police have charged 26-year-old Luigi Mangione with murder.
Supporters of the bill argue it could help address concerns about high healthcare costs, which many critics say contribute to the industry's soaring profits.
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Dec 12, 2024 at 09:21 AM EST
Luigi Mangione’s grandmother excluded criminal family members from her will
The grandmother of the man charged over the killing of UnitedHealthcare's CEO sought to prevent her fortune going to criminal family members, according to documents obtained by Newsweek.
She wanted to prevent potential beneficiaries of Luigi Mangione's family charged with or convicted of a serious crime from enjoying her legacy, subject to the discretion of the will's trustees.
Mangione, a 26-year-old Ivy League graduate, was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on Monday in connection with Brian Thompson's killing. Thompson, 50, was shot dead as he walked alone to his company's annual investor conference at the New York Hilton Midtown in New York City on the morning of December 4.
Mangione hails from a prominent Maryland family. His grandfather Nicholas Mangione grew up in poverty, but his rags-to-riches story saw leave behind a real estate empire that included country clubs and nursing homes to his family when he died in 2008.
His wife, Mary Mangione, died at the age of 92 last year. She left behind an estate worth at least $30 million to be distributed equally among her 10 children, including Mangione's father, according to documents that Newsweek reviewed.
The will does not appear to currently affect Luigi Mangione or any other of Mary Mangione's more than 30 grandchildren, given that all 10 of her children are still living.
Dec 12, 2024 at 09:14 AM EST
‘Wanted’ posters of healthcare CEOs appear in NYC after UnitedHealthcare CEO’s murder
"Wanted" posters targeting healthcare executives have surfaced across New York City in the wake of the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The posters, first shared by a TikToker, feature images of the CEOs along with phrases such as "Denying medical care for corporate profit" and "Healthcare CEOs should not feel safe."
The posters began appearing after Thompson, 51, was shot on Dec. 4 outside a hotel in Midtown Manhattan. Authorities have identified Luigi Mangione as the suspect in the shooting.
"We are aware of the posters and are investigating the incidents," an NYPD spokesperson said.
Dec 12, 2024 at 09:07 AM EST
Amazon Pharmacy chief admits U.S. health system ‘needs to be better’
Amazon Pharmacy Chief Medical Officer Vin Gupta said that the U.S. health system "needs to be better," but said that was no excuse for the murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
"Our health system needs to be better," Gupta told Reuters. "There's a lot of things that should cause a lot of outrage.
"It's also true that that (killing) should not have happened. There cannot be this false moral equivalence in our discourse."
He added that there were concerns that Mangione could inspire copycat killers.
"Are there going to be copycats? That is unacceptable. We need people to speak out that false moral equivalences must not be accepted," he added.
Dec 12, 2024 at 09:00 AM EST
Inmates tell reporters Mangione does not have television in his cell
Ashley Banfield had the "strangest interview ever" with Mangione's fellow inmates via screams, where they confirmed Mangione does not have a TV in his single cell.
Dec 12, 2024 at 08:54 AM EST
Luigi Mangione’s family ties to Nancy Pelosi revealed
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The grandfather of suspected UnitedHealthcare CEO shooter Luigi Mangione was a friend of the Pelosi family, according to reports.
Mangione, 26, was arrested on Monday and charged with the murder of UnitedHealthcare's chief executive Brian Thompson, who was fatally shot last week in New York City. He is expected to plead not guilty.
Following the shooting, it emerged that Luigi Mangione is from a prominent Maryland real-estate family, with his grandfather, Nicholas Mangione, a self-made real-estate developer, owning country clubs, nursing homes and a radio station before he died in 2008, according to an obituary in The Baltimore Sun.
The Mangiones are also longtime supporters of numerous local causes and institutions, including Loyola University Maryland and the Greater Baltimore Medical Center.
Nicholas Mangione also had links to the family of the former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, who is from a prominent Italian American family in Baltimore.
In 1995, Thomas J. D'Alesandro III, the former Baltimore mayor and late brother of Pelosi, discussed his relationship with Nicholas Mangione in the Sun.
"Nick Mangione is foremost identified as a family man," he told the newspaper. "That's his calling card even before he became a successful businessman. He is maybe a little rough around the edges and maybe with an aggressive personality, but a man with a big heart (...) He earned his success the hard way."
Dec 12, 2024 at 08:46 AM EST
Hochul expects indictment for suspected murderer of UnitedHealthcare CEO
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said Thursday that an indictment against Luigi Mangione, the suspected murderer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is expected from the Manhattan District Attorney's office "any day now."
In an interview on MSNBC, Hochul expressed confidence in District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office, describing the forthcoming indictment as "ironclad." She emphasized the importance of getting the case right to avoid potential legal challenges.
Once the indictment is issued, Hochul said she would immediately move to issue an extradition warrant for Mangione, who is currently in Pennsylvania. She confirmed that she has been in contact with Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, and both governors are eager to bring Mangione back to New York as soon as possible. A hearing for Mangione's extradition is set for December 23.
"I will issue it. He'll sign it. But the judge has already set a date for a hearing on December 23rd. We'll see whether that date has to hold. The governor and I both want him brought back to New York as soon as possible."
Dec 12, 2024 at 08:38 AM EST
Luigi Mangione’s fingerprints linked to Brian Thompson murder scene
Police said they matched the fingerprints of the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare's CEO to those discovered near the scene of the crime.
Luigi Mangione, 26, was arrested on Monday after an almost weeklong manhunt for the man who gunned down Brian Thompson, 50, in an ambush attack as he walked alone to his company's annual investor conference at the New York Hilton Midtown.
His fingerprints were matched with those found on a water bottle and protein bar found near the crime scene, New York's police commissioner Jessica Tisch said on Wednesday. It is the first forensic evidence tying Mangione to the area where Thompson was shot dead on December 4.
Tisch also said that a gun found on Mangione after his arrest matches shell casings found at the scene of the shooting.
Read the full story by Khaleda Rahman on Newsweek.
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