NY - UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson fatally shot in Midtown. #6

[Inthedetails]

The problem (legally) with that room is that it probably contains DNA from lots of people - many of them male.

The jumbled nature of the DNA in a hostel will allow the defense (this guy is thinking ahead) to claim that it could have been any one of another people staying there at about that time. Hostel records are important, but the prosecutors would be in the weird position of trying to show that it was recent guests' DNA along with perp DNA (which, btw, no one has so far, so isn't going to lead us).

These sound like stalling tactics, but they are definitely going to slow things down. Let's say there are 20 partial male profiles in that hostel room (not at all a crazy estimate - could be way more).

The FBI has to run all of them. It's not like the Idaho Four crime scene, where there were only a few profiles (as far as we know - only one that was at the actual crime scene). The JonBenet case offers us some Asian dna and maybe one stranger profile. The Suzanne Morphew case offers us stranger DNA in the glove compartment of her vehicle.

These things confound investigations, but they also allow for defenses not otherwise possible.

I really think this perp is playing off all of that.

And to avoid extra posts: Hilfinger jackets are not super expensive. (Not directed at you, MassGuy).

IMO.

Why do they need DNA from the hostel? I don't think they do. They have evidence he stayed there without the DNA, and they have his DNA from other items. What am I missing?

jmo

 

[Stratocaster]

The flirting myth was perpetuated by the media.

Wow really, again catching up, he looks very happy in the smile pics are they from the hostel?

 

[Vegasgrl]

At the risk of sounding stupid...Can someone explain what a HOSTEL is? I can't seem to wrap my brain around rooming with other people I don't know. But it sounds like something that is common.

It's much more common outside the US. Started as a way for students/young adults to travel cheaper and meet like-minded from around the world. Now larger hostels have dorm share rooms, family rooms, private accommodations, suites even. They range from just okay to quite upscale/fancy. Google top world hostels or hostelworld. They are everywhere.

 

[eddie_van]

The problem (legally) with that room is that it probably contains DNA from lots of people - many of them male.

The jumbled nature of the DNA in a hostel will allow the defense (this guy is thinking ahead) to claim that it could have been any one of another people staying there at about that time. Hostel records are important, but the prosecutors would be in the weird position of trying to show that it was recent guests' DNA along with perp DNA (which, btw, no one has so far, so isn't going to lead us).

These sound like stalling tactics, but they are definitely going to slow things down. Let's say there are 20 partial male profiles in that hostel room (not at all a crazy estimate - could be way more).

The FBI has to run all of them. It's not like the Idaho Four crime scene, where there were only a few profiles (as far as we know - only one that was at the actual crime scene). The JonBenet case offers us some Asian dna and maybe one stranger profile. The Suzanne Morphew case offers us stranger DNA in the glove compartment of her vehicle.

These things confound investigations, but they also allow for defenses not otherwise possible.

I really think this perp is playing off all of that.

And to avoid extra posts: Hilfinger jackets are not super expensive. (Not directed at you, MassGuy).

IMO.

agreed, people were asking why he would stay at a hostel, this could very much be the reason. a regular hotel would be far more expensive, probably have better security, and allow his DNA to be isolated far more readily.
he seems to be a big fan of wasting police time. maybe he's hoping if he wastes enough of their time, the public interest will die down, and he will be much safer.

 

[KaylynnCouture]

It's much more common outside the US. Started as a way for students/young adults to travel cheaper and meet like-minded from around the world. Now larger hostels have dorm share rooms, family rooms, private accommodations, suites even. They range from just okay to quite upscale/fancy. Google top world hostels or hostelworld. They are everywhere.

Yeah, also worth noting this particular hostel is $200+ a night. So, although they seem "cheap", and probably are by NYC standards, these aren't like Motel6 prices.

 

[PerennialLady]

This is what I've been wondering the whole time. I still think the most logical explanation is he's a student, his family is not local and they did not expect him to return home for Thanksgiving, and school was on break so it was not abnormal for him to not be on campus.

Yes, I think the timing was planned because BT was in town for the conference, but I can't help but think the 10 whole days (!!) he spent in NYC was planned purposely around a pre-planned break from school wherein him being away would not have been suspicious at all.

Makes me wonder who on the inside told the killer the schedule of the CEO and how and where to wait for him?

 

[KaylynnCouture]

agreed, people were asking why he would stay at a hostel, this could very much be the reason. a regular hotel would be far more expensive, probably have better security, and allow his DNA to be isolated far more readily.
he seems to be a big fan of wasting police time. maybe he's hoping if he wastes enough of their time, the public interest will die down, and he will be much safer.

But most importantly: a "regular" hotel would need a debit/credit card on file and is unlikely to take a cash payment. They also may be more suspicious of his fake ID.

 

[KaylynnCouture]

Makes me wonder who on the inside told the killer the schedule of the CEO and how and where to wait for him?

Correct. The killer had some inside info on BT's schedule that isn't readily available from a Google search or research being in NYC 10 days ahead of time. The question is who gave him that info.

 

[Curiousobserver]

The problem (legally) with that room is that it probably contains DNA from lots of people - many of them male.

The jumbled nature of the DNA in a hostel will allow the defense (this guy is thinking ahead) to claim that it could have been any one of another people staying there at about that time. Hostel records are important, but the prosecutors would be in the weird position of trying to show that it was recent guests' DNA along with perp DNA (which, btw, no one has so far, so isn't going to lead us).

These sound like stalling tactics, but they are definitely going to slow things down. Let's say there are 20 partial male profiles in that hostel room (not at all a crazy estimate - could be way more).

The FBI has to run all of them. It's not like the Idaho Four crime scene, where there were only a few profiles (as far as we know - only one that was at the actual crime scene). The JonBenet case offers us some Asian dna and maybe one stranger profile. The Suzanne Morphew case offers us stranger DNA in the glove compartment of her vehicle.

These things confound investigations, but they also allow for defenses not otherwise possible.

I really think this perp is playing off all of that.

And to avoid extra posts: Hilfinger jackets are not super expensive. (Not directed at you, MassGuy).

IMO.

The only DNA that matters is the DNA at the scene. What a screw up if he couldn’t wait for 20 minutes to get a snack.

 

[Stratocaster]

General Websleuthes question......with the AI now a daily part of our lives, do you think any of the smiling photos of the perp are AI generated?....or legit?

 

[KaylynnCouture]

General Websleuthes question......with the AI now a daily part of our lives, do you think any of the smiling photos of the perp are AI generated?....or legit?

It looked legit to me.

 

[eddie_van]

General Websleuthes question......with the AI now a daily part of our lives, do you think any of the smiling photos of the perp are AI generated?....or legit?

are you suggesting the police are giving us fake AI photos?

 

[mrstfs]

General Websleuthes question......with the AI now a daily part of our lives, do you think any of the smiling photos of the perp are AI generated?....or legit?

I think they’re legit or else LE wouldn’t have released them. I’m not familiar with silicone masks though. Can anyone tell if he’s wearing one?

 

[citizen_sleuth]

The problem (legally) with that room is that it probably contains DNA from lots of people - many of them male.

The jumbled nature of the DNA in a hostel will allow the defense (this guy is thinking ahead) to claim that it could have been any one of another people staying there at about that time. Hostel records are important, but the prosecutors would be in the weird position of trying to show that it was recent guests' DNA along with perp DNA (which, btw, no one has so far, so isn't going to lead us).

These sound like stalling tactics, but they are definitely going to slow things down. Let's say there are 20 partial male profiles in that hostel room (not at all a crazy estimate - could be way more).

The FBI has to run all of them. It's not like the Idaho Four crime scene, where there were only a few profiles (as far as we know - only one that was at the actual crime scene). The JonBenet case offers us some Asian dna and maybe one stranger profile. The Suzanne Morphew case offers us stranger DNA in the glove compartment of her vehicle.

These things confound investigations, but they also allow for defenses not otherwise possible.

I really think this perp is playing off all of that.

And to avoid extra posts: Hilfinger jackets are not super expensive. (Not directed at you, MassGuy).

IMO.

To add to this, I’d imagine the hostel caters to international travelers which would likely make it exponentially more difficult to track down and obtain DNA samples from other travelers who stayed in that room/on the same floor, especially if they have left the country. Different countries have different stances regarding the collection of DNA for criminal investigations and may be reluctant to assist NYPD in obtaining DNA samples, especially if the DNA being requested is not from someone suspected of committing any crime. MOO.

 

[10ofRods]

Makes me wonder who on the inside told the killer the schedule of the CEO and how and where to wait for him?

It was, as I understand it, a shareholders meeting. Many people buy 1 share of a stock to get closer to the CEO's/other management during those days (sometimes two days). My understanding is that the first day of this shareholder event (all held at the same hotel) was a run up to the second day, which was the formal meet-the-shareholders day.

So all someone has to do to get access to such events is buy 1 share of stock. Further, the crowd gathers and it's not exactly orderly once it starts (this particular company has had its share of protesters).

If the perp came into town 10 or more days earlier, they had quite a bit of time to scope out the itinerary of the CEO of the company they hated (if that was the motivation).

BT's wife told NBC that he had received death threats. I can understand how he decided to simply defy those threats (he was, after all, paid to do exactly that and I am boggled by his actual paycheck). I am also boggled by this company's reported profits and returns to equity share holders. All of this was the subject matter of this "conference." Feelings were heated.

IMO.

 

[HungryBrain]

It was, as I understand it, a shareholders meeting. Many people buy 1 share of a stock to get closer to the CEO's/other management during those days (sometimes two days). My understanding is that the first day of this shareholder event (all held at the same hotel) was a run up to the second day, which was the formal meet-the-shareholders day.

So all someone has to do to get access to such events is buy 1 share of stock. Further, the crowd gathers and it's not exactly orderly once it starts (this particular company has had its share of protesters).

If the perp came into town 10 or more days earlier, they had quite a bit of time to scope out the itinerary of the CEO of the company they hated (if that was the motivation).

BT's wife told NBC that he had received death threats. I can understand how he decided to simply defy those threats (he was, after all, paid to do exactly that and I am boggled by his actual paycheck). I am also boggled by this company's reported profits and returns to equity share holders. All of this was the subject matter of this "conference." Feelings were heated.

IMO.

True but even then you'd have to prove that you're the owner of the stock, which would reveal your identity. And sure there are tons of holders, but then we could rule out female, we could rule out certain ethnicities, and then we could search through the images of everyone there and eventually be found.

 

[Baby baby Jane]

Yeah, also worth noting this particular hostel is $200+ a night. So, although they seem "cheap", and probably are by NYC standards, these aren't like Motel6 prices.

Individual beds at Hi, shared room from $49 a night ….

 

[Pharmasgirl]

Correct. The killer had some inside info on BT's schedule that isn't readily available from a Google search or research being in NYC 10 days ahead of time. The question is who gave him that info.

Whomever registered BT for the event would have received an Agenda for each Presenter, which day(s), and time schedule, so a full breakdown. Oftentimes this info can be found online without even registering for the event. I don't know how tight this type of event would have been for releasing this info online.

 

[HungryBrain]

Individual beds at Hi, shared room from $49 a night ….

If this person was a hired hitman do you think they would be worried about the price of the location? I think he chose the hostel because of lack of security and like mentioned already his dna would not be isolated to one room. Although how many people usually share a room? 3? 5? Even if it was 10, shouldn't be hard to go through each of the DNA profiles of the room.

 

[citizen_sleuth]

I think they are assuming he took a bus because they have no footage of him leaving the bus station. However, it is unclear which bus he took. I agree with the other poster who said he probably wasn't waiting around for 6 hours to take the Atlanta bus.

I agree, I highly doubt he was waiting around the station. There is a police booth inside the bus station and they also have their own security officers who, according to Google reviews at least, are pretty vigilant.