Suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO did not have insurance coverage from the company

The man charged with killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson did not have coverage from the Minnetonka-based health insurer, a company spokesperson confirmed late Thursday, contrary to speculation that he may have been a disgruntled patient.

The disclosure was first made by New York police and confirmed later by the company, whose spokesperson noted UnitedHealthcare has no record showing Luigi Mangione had insurance coverage from United.

“Today we are confirming that [Mangione] and his mother were not UnitedHealthcare members,” the company wrote in a statement. “We are working closely with law enforcement officials who continue their investigation of this horrific crime, and we continue to support those who depend on us for their health care.”

NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told NBC New York in an interview Thursday that investigators have found evidence Mangione had prior knowledge that parent company UnitedHealth Group was holding its annual investor conference in New York City. Mangione also mentioned the company in a note found in his possession when he was detained by police in Pennsylvania.

But Kenny also said: “He does make mention that it is the fifth-largest corporation in America, which would make it the largest health care organization in America. So that’s possibly why he targeted that company.”

There has been rampant speculation on the motive for the crime, with some questioning whether Mangione or a relative might have had a run-in with UnitedHealthcare over coverage. At least one likely bogus version of the shooter’s manifesto that’s circulating on social media talks about his mom suffering serious back pain and experiencing trouble with insurance coverage.

Thompson, 50, of Maple Grove worked at UnitedHealthcare for 20 years, rising to the position of chief executive officer in 2021.

Andrew Witty, the CEO of parent company UnitedHealth Group, sent a message to employees Wednesday saying Thompson’s family laid him to rest Monday. Colleagues gathered in Minnesota on Tuesday, Witty added, to celebrate the executive’s life.

“Brian was one of the good guys. He was certainly one of the smartest guys,” Witty wrote in the message. “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.”

Police say the 26-year-old suspect was found with a ghost gun, a firearm without a serial number, matching shell casings found at the site of the shooting. He’s charged in Pennsylvania with possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police, the Associated Press reported.

Mangione, an Ivy League graduate from a prominent Maryland business family, wrote in social media posts about suffering severe chronic back pain before undergoing surgery in 2023. Afterward, he posted that the operation had been a success and that his pain had improved and mobility returned and urged others to consider the same type of surgery.

On Wednesday, police said investigators are looking at his writings about his health problems and his criticism of corporate America and the U.S. health care system.

Thompson grew up in a small town in Iowa where he was class president, valedictorian, homecoming king and a two-time all-state trombonist, according to an obituary submitted to the Minnesota Star Tribune.

After graduating from the University of Iowa, Thompson was an accountant at PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP, the obituary stated, before advancing through a series of leadership positions at UnitedHealth Group beginning in 2004.

Thompson is survived by his wife, two sons and other relatives including his mother and brother.

”While the [professional] roles listed above are impressive, there is another one that meant even more to BT: Father,” the obituary says, with initials for Thompson used among friends. “His love for [his sons] was limitless, and discussing his boys brought the biggest smiles to his face.”