NY - UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson fatally shot in Midtown. #8 *Arrest*

[otto]

Thank you, wasn't the estrangement recently just this summer?
Perhaps, he started self-medicating (street drugs) and was ashamed. One reason some friends disappear because of a drug addiction. I often wonder if drug psychosis set him off.
I guess we wait and find out, lots of missing pieces still.

He lost his job in 2023, around the same time that he left Hawaii. He then focused on manipulating the medical community into doing back surgery that is not recommended for someone under the age of 40. He probably thought that the surgery would eliminate the injury, but surgery manages the injury - not restorative.

In July 2024, he cut off contact with friends. His mother filed a missing person report in November 2024.

 

[Luna20]

There was an expert (Former FBI) on CNN either last night or this morning who explained some of the possible processes that LM went through in order to make the choice to murder BT. He said it didn't appear that LM was the kind of person to murder or even harm others. Nothing in his background indicates that. When some people like him become radicalized and have a strong urge to remedy the wrongs in some way, they are usually reluctant to resort to murder. These are the kind of people who would normally never harm others, but one of the factors that usually tips the scale is validation. If the killer is trying to talk themselves into killing someone over a social cause, they usually do it if they feel there is some validation from others who have been harmed or believe in the cause. In this case, LM may have talked himself into it because there were (and are) so many people who are so tired of unfair abuse from the insurance industry. So many people who have been calling out for change and getting nowhere. The killer's feeling of validation is usually what tips the scale towards murder or other drastic action.

I tend to agree with this, considering LM had no criminal history, no record of bullying or abusing others. He may have done it because he thought it was the only option and that others would agree and be helped by his actions. Mental health problems were also a part of it.

All of his friends say that he was so kind and such a ‘good example’ to others. It’s sad to see this destruction.

 

[legalese]

The photo of him in the holding cell might dampen enthusiasm to be a copycat.

jmo

What I don’t understand: I’m 95% sure there is a toilet behind him in that photo

 

[Knox]

There are many people who think their insurance coverage is fine. Yes, there are horrible cases of denials, errors, expenses, confusion that are heartbreaking...but just as many people, if not more, use their insurance and it works.

jmo

My husband and I fall into this category for the most part. But I will say recently, there have been times where both of us haven’t chosen to do a test or receive treatment because it was too expensive and the insurance company wouldn’t cover the cost. As we’re getting older, this scares me.

 

[NottaYutz]

That may be one reason so many people with back pain struggle with their mental health. People with back pain report disproportionately high levels of depression and distress, compared with the general population.

And therein is the core of his defense. "The pain made me crazy." I'm sure it will be expanded in the months to come.

 

[citizen_sleuth]

He lost his job in 2023, around the same time that he left Hawaii. He then focused on manipulating the medical community into doing back surgery that is not recommended for someone under the age of 40. He probably thought that the surgery would eliminate the injury, but surgery manages the injury - not restorative.

In July 2024, he cut off contact with friends. His mother filed a missing person report in November 2024.

BBM.

Apologies if this was mentioned earlier in the thread (it’s moving super fast!), would you be able to link a source for this? I remember reading that he had back surgery and then returned to HI afterwards, but I haven’t read anything about what led up to the back surgery.

 

[Inthedetails]

I like to understand these guys, as many times you can see acts of violence coming from a mile away. It doesn't just come out of nowhere; there are signs.

This guy is different from every other killer I've ever followed. Incredibly bright, well educated, well off financially, very well liked, seemingly a great family life, and appears to have had a wide circle of friends. Other than that review about the Unabomber, there's really nothing concerning there.

He didn't just lose his temper and kill someone, and he didn't suddenly go crazy and do what killers like that do.

There appears to have been a rapid decline mentally (inference based on concern from family and friends about his whereabouts), but it didn't affect him to the point that he wasn't able to carry out a crime that was unprecedented in its planning and execution.

That confuses the hell out of me, and I have so many questions I want answered.

Young man with mental illness and a gun lashed out at the world. Sounds exactly like other shooters, sadly.

jmopinion

 

[Parsnip]

My husband and I fall into this category for the most part. But I will say recently, there have been times where both of us haven’t chosen to do a test or receive treatment because it was too expensive and the insurance company wouldn’t cover the cost. As we’re getting older, this scares me.

Definitely, as we age, the implications change. Our priorities change, and our goals change.

 

[Kona3064]

He lost his job in 2023, around the same time that he left Hawaii. He then focused on manipulating the medical community into doing back surgery that is not recommended for someone under the age of 40. He probably thought that the surgery would eliminate the injury, but surgery manages the injury - not restorative.

In July 2024, he cut off contact with friends. His mother filed a missing person report in November 2024.

Can someone enlighten me to how any of his back and other issues are the fault of BT and UHC? The insurance company didn’t perform the surgery. Back surgeries are notorious for having issues post op. Again, not the fault of UHC or BT. I would think the first person he would blame would have been the surgeon. Narcotics are regulated for addiction purposes. Unless you have cancer, after so many pills you have to jump through hoops for authorization but that isn’t limited to UHC.

 

[shetalksinstereo]

in the midwest (2 million population) i can say with high confidence in the last 12 months I've seen less than 5 with them on in a non medical setting. and probably zero in the 100+ times i've been in a restaurant. and 100% 0 time wearing them for a young male

i live in a small city of 25k-ish, and I see multiple people (customers, employees) wearing masks in every store and all age ranges. I still see people driving with them on, alone in their car!

 

[ames85]

I do believe he lit the powder keg. I worry about the copycats that may arise from this.

Don't be misled by what you're seeing online. There's no widespread support for the shooting or the murderer.

The people celebrating this are harmless. They don't leave their bedrooms.

 

[Chimera]

curious if LM actually had United Healthcare insurance at some point; if his spinal surgery played into this ... if he lost touch with reality during the recent past for some particular reason. You can be smart but still be unhinged IMO. Also why this particular victim? Why not anyone else?

Bbm.

First bolded : Agreed, that's certainly true !

Second bolded : I don't think he was 'finished' yet ?
Possible there were other targets.
Just speculation at this point.
Omo.

 

[al66pine]

He was laid off in 2023 according to a representative from TrueCar

@sas0807
TYVM for providing this ^ info so I could edit my post.
The LI resume seemed to indicate he is still there.

Makes me a bit more curious about whether LM has any TRUE shares. Or employee stock options, which may have withered on the vine, expiring worthless. Maybe helping build more resentment of those in UH C suites?

 

[Forest_Wood]

One might get the impression that he’s playing up his disability for the cameras. He didn’t seem to be limping around during his crime spree. Maybe the jail cot wasn’t great for his back.

JMO

Are you referring to when he exited the police car? Wasn't he shackled?

 

[Inthedetails]

All of his friends say that he was so kind and such a ‘good example’ to others. It’s sad to see this destruction.

I feel for all the people who are affected by this murder. Imagine learning your friend, cousin, former classmate, etc. committed a crime like this. It would be shaking and hard to understand. The damages from crimes extend far, while the audience cheers for more.

jmo

 

[NuttMegg]

Would love to know if the public school there was divided at that grade level as in middle school being 4-6 & Jr high 7-9 or how those grade levels are grouped. And whether his siblings attended Gilman at that grade level or not.

Iirc it is a boys' school only. I don't know the gender of his 5 siblings. I just remember vividly, and I will until I die, the feeling of being yanked out of school in 6th grade and not going with my buddies to 7th grade. It was a big deal. It was because our family was moving, nothing to do with bad behavior. So I'm not ready to attribute a bunch of bad behavior to him yet, pre 6th grade. If he had always been bad, that's different, but imo we're observing a small part of his life where he fell apart.

 

[kaen]

He went to college in Philadelphia. He worked remotely from HI, iirc. He had one surfing lesson, and by reports, that laid him up for a week. I don’t think he went there for the surfing. Moo.

Agreed. I think it is more likely that he joined a remote workforce that could do their job from anywhere. There are many people who work remotely who have chosen to find beautiful spots so their quality of life outside of their work hours is what they want it to be. I had a former student (brilliant software engineer) who graduated from Stanford. He took a remote job and does his work from a beach in Baja. He gets his US salary, a beautiful villa, and tons of expats to hang with. He vacations to incredible places. It is a lifestyle that my generation doesn't always understand but it has a large number of young workers living the work/life balance dream.

 

[Parsnip]

Can someone enlighten me to how any of his back and other issues are the fault of BT and UHC? The insurance company didn’t perform the surgery. Back surgeries are notorious for having issues post op. Again, not the fault of UHC or BT. I would think the first person he would blame would have been the surgeon. Narcotics are regulated for addiction purposes. Unless you have cancer, after so many pills you have to jump through hoops for authorization but that isn’t limited to UHC.

I believe that in his manifesto, he states that BT and UHC were targeted for symbolic purposes. I don’t think there is a direct connection between the alleged murderer and BT or UHC that has been demonstrated at this time. Moo.

 

[Seattle1]

Would love to know if the public school there was divided at that grade level as in middle school being 4-6 & Jr high 7-9 or how those grade levels are grouped. And whether his siblings attended Gilman at that grade level or not.

Reportedly, Gilman is a pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade independent, Boys day school in Baltimore, Maryland.

By educating boys in mind, body, and spirit, we seek to produce men of character and integrity who have the skills and ability to make a positive contribution to the communities in which they live and work.

I believe LM only has sisters -- they would not have attended Gilman. MOO

Home | Gilman School

Gilman School is an all-boys, independent day school located in Baltimore, MD, dedicated to educating young men from pre-kindergarten through high school.

www.gilman.edu

 

[FoxxTraxx]

Can someone enlighten me to how any of his back and other issues are the fault of BT and UHC? The insurance company didn’t perform the surgery. Back surgeries are notorious for having issues post op. Again, not the fault of UHC or BT. I would think the first person he would blame would have been the surgeon. Narcotics are regulated for addiction purposes. Unless you have cancer, after so many pills you have to jump through hoops for authorization but that isn’t limited to UHC.

ABC News is reporting they have not found any references to UHC in LM's on-line writings.
Site: ABC News LM On-Line Comments

CEO shooting suspect Luigi Mangione appeared to discuss spine issues on Reddit​

ABC News did not find any posts mentioning UnitedHealthcare, the largest U.S. health insurance company, in an online archive of the page appearing to belong to Mangione