NY - UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson fatally shot in Midtown. #5

[fashionella]

Exactly. The amount of planning and logistical detail to pull that off was not done (IMO) by an angry individual over a specific denied claim. Not that there is a profile for such a killer but I would not guess it to be someone w who looks like the pictures being published. This required information from someone close to BT who would know his movements. The evidence left behind by the shooter seems to be a purposeful attempt to divert or distract LE.

I couldn't agree more. The distractions are just that. Get back to basics. How did the perp know where BT was staying, precisely when he was exiting the Marriott, where did he get the ebike/how and WHO repositioned the ebike on the morning of the murder.

 

[SRWCF]

They pointed guns, Moore from 40 ft away. A man is more able to assassinate than a woman?

Yes. Absolutely, positively. This one, in particular, did it from point blank range, which takes guts.

Just for fun, try Googling "female assassins." I did and all I could find was a list of fictional one from movies!

 

[NuttMegg]

Apologies if I’ve missed it but has a “composite” type picture of his face been created using the various actual footage of him. Seems we’ve seen only his lower face (at hostel) and his masked face in other footage.

Look a couple of pages back, a poster made a composite, lower face/nose plus eyes & brows

 

[armchairagatha]

To me the fact that he has so far evaded the authorities after such a brazen killing captured on video camera on the world stage points to a very well planned, organized crime (or “terrorist” attack of sorts). He may have carried this out on his own, but he was trained by some militant organization most likely and they could be behind this. Just the fact that he seems to be ten steps ahead of LE and the FBI tells me he is not any ordinary, disgruntled citizen or even an ordinary hitman hired by BT’s associates.

 

[rainbowshummingbird]

I think the killer should be accountable w/o a doubt, but it's interesting there is so much attention and a $50,000 reward for the killing of a billionaire vs others who are killed in the same NYC daily.

BT was wealthy by most standards but certainly not a billionaire.

 

[bestill]

Apologies if I’ve missed it but has a “composite” type picture of his face been created using the various actual footage of him. Seems we’ve seen only his lower face (at hostel) and his masked face in other footage.

Good question!

 

[pibblelove]

BT was wealthy by most standards but certainly not a billionaire.

You're missing the point

 

[SRWCF]

I don’t buy the flirt theory from his side. The clerk asked to see his face without his mask to match his ID at checkin and maybe did that flirtatiously “can I see your beautiful smile” or something like that. No more, no less.

She didnt maybe say that. She has actually been quoted as saying that in news stories. Anyone who is good looking (or at least knows someone who is good looking) knows they use their good looks to their advantage - happens from the time they are small and have been told how cute they are.

 

[RobSA]

I don’t buy the flirt theory from his side. The clerk asked to see his face without his mask to match his ID at checkin and maybe did that flirtatiously “can I see your beautiful smile” or something like that. No more, no less.

Exactly. The girl didn’t want to use a cold “could you please lower your mask”. She just came at it from a hospitality approach versus a dmv approach. And what is he supposed to do then? Any refusal to lower the mask looks super suspicious on top of the fact he might get refused a stay.

 

[ChetMorton]

What's never talked about is why American doctors and hospitals charge so dang much for services. We've all heard about people being charge $300 for a single Aspirin during a hosptial stay. In other countries, people typically become doctors to help others. In America, they do it to become rich. Doctors extravagant salaries here in the U.S. are unique when compared to what doctors make in other countries. Just saying this to point out that insurance companies are always the bad guys. Try going to see a doctor for a simple office visit WITHOUT insurance and see how much it costs you. Both are the problem.

You make a good point about cost. While not a fan of health insurance companies there is so much more complexity involved with claims. Hospitals taking advantage of good insurance coverage by embellishing medical procedures. The amount of fraud (in the billions) committed by people drive up premiums. Also, add that most people don't understand what their policy covers and what it doesn't so the amount of ignorance is very real. And finally insurance is highly regulated by various state DOIs. There is oversight that limits what they are allowed and not allowed to do less they pay heavy fines. I am not excusing the bad business practices they do get away with or the billions in profit... but its not as simple as "bad CEO".

 

[bestill]

Look a couple of pages back, a poster made a composite, lower face/nose plus eyes & brows

If anyone finds it please repost it. I went back 6 pages and didn't see it. TIA

 

[sleepysleuth]

Apologies if I’ve missed it but has a “composite” type picture of his face been created using the various actual footage of him. Seems we’ve seen only his lower face (at hostel) and his masked face in other footage.

I posted one, but they aren't allowed so it has been removed. They said they are only rarely allowed and only if done by a professional. I am a professional graphic designer and photo editor, but I am not certified in composites or anything, so I wasn't going to go through the verification process. If anyone else is, you might want to get verified so that you can submit one for approval.

(Mods - not complaining - I am only publicly stating this to avoid anyone else doing it so you guys don't have to delete more.)

 

[noseyrosey789]

Just some random thoughts as I follow this case:
1. Perhaps part of his plan is to wait until the reward gets higher, then have someone come forward to ID him. All while he is in another country out of reach.
2. I think he very well could have put other bags of clothes in CP during his days of scouting to grab while the escape. Including something in the bus stop.
3. It will be interesting to find out his movements the 10 days prior. As I am sure LE are on that already.
4. Question: on the second picture that was released recently, why did the taxi driver take the picture of him walking after he got out? Did he know something?
5. I wonder if the shooter had any prior interaction (even if just passing by) BT, like to plant a small tracking device on him. That could explain how he knew he left the hotel

 

[Knox]

Exactly. The amount of planning and logistical detail to pull that off was not done (IMO) by an angry individual over a specific denied claim. Not that there is a profile for such a killer but I would not guess it to be someone w who looks like the pictures being published. This required information from someone close to BT who would know his movements. The evidence left behind by the shooter seems to be a purposeful attempt to divert or distract LE.

I’m questioning the obvious motive also. You have to admit, it’s the perfect red herring scenario to cover a motive much closer to home and far more personal.

I’m 50/50 at this point on “why” he had to die.

 

[charminglane]

I'm pondering if this assassin had inside help, possibly securing a left behind water bottle or wrappers by BT HIMSELF to be used to confuse their identity.

 

[warp3dwing]

I couldn't agree more. The distractions are just that. Get back to basics. How did the perp know where BT was staying, precisely when he was exiting the Marriott, where did he get the ebike/how and WHO repositioned the ebike on the morning of the murder.

To your last point, LE suspects he rode the bike down to the hotel that morning since it only took him about 10 minutes (source).

I took a walk around the crime scene area yesterday. The gap between 54th and 55th streets is massive and full of cameras. If the bike was placed there, I’m surprised that this information hasn’t been released. It seems like LE doesn't know when he got on the bike to flee northbound, or perhaps they’re just not stating that publicly.

Maybe the bike was locked up on 55th street. I read that he had the bike battery with him, and I‘lol venture that the bike was locked up. It’s not a 100% guarantee that the bike and/or battery would get stolen while he was committing the murder if it wasn’t locked up, but it doesn’t seem like a risk this particular suspect would take.

 

[armchairagatha]

To me the fact that he has so far evaded the authorities after such a brazen killing captured on video camera on the world stage points to a very well planned, organized crime (or “terrorist” attack of sorts). He may have carried this out on his own, but he was trained by some militant organization most likely and they could be behind this. Just the fact that he seems to be ten steps ahead of LE and the FBI tells me he is not any ordinary, disgruntled citizen or even an ordinary hitman hired by BT’s associates.

I think people are right about the choice of NYC as the place of the crime. It was to make a point and send a warning. But the point is not to bring attention to the United Healthcare insurance system or just health insurance in general. The point is the same as 9/11 on a smaller scale but do it in a way that captures world attention and confounds LE and the FBI. JMO.

 

[Elley Mae]

Not a great job (and admittedly it's a bit "uncanny valley") because I did this in like two minutes on my laptop, but I photoshopped the new image of the eyes from the cab on top of the "flirting" smile to give us a rough idea of what the perp looks like.

Bumping

 

[SRWCF]

You make a good point about cost. While not a fan of health insurance companies there is so much more complexity involved with claims. Hospitals taking advantage of good insurance coverage by embellishing medical procedures. The amount of fraud (in the billions) committed by people drive up premiums. Also, add that most people don't understand what their policy covers and what it doesn't so the amount of ignorance is very real. And finally insurance is highly regulated by various state DOIs. There is oversight that limits what they are allowed and not allowed to do less they pay heavy fines. I am not excusing the bad business practices they do get away with or the billions in profit... but its not as simple as "bad CEO".

100% agree! I worked in the health insurance industry for 10 years as an executive assistant, so I have a fairly good understanding of how it works. I also have lived over in Europe under "social" medicine and seen how it works without insurance and doctors working to help people vs seeing them as simple $$$ in their pockets. I am American, but have EU citizenship through marriage and I can tell you one thing as retirement is approaching: moving overseas has never sounded so good! How is it that someone in the US has plenty of money on paper to retire, but paying for an unexpected illness could literally drain your life savings?!? Gah!

 

[Elley Mae]

If anyone finds it please repost it. I went back 6 pages and didn't see it. TIA

just posted link