NY - UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson fatally shot in Midtown. #9 *Arrest*

[OneLove]

I think that "what went wrong" is that he wanted the surgery for 1.5 years but was refused due to his age and the nature of his spine condition. After he had surgery, he claimed that he was fully recovered in 8 days (not believable). That was July 2023. He no longer had a job, but he did not tell his family.

In May 2024, he stopped recommending the surgery. Perhaps he had another injury during his travels and realized that he could not live a life of sports?

He might blame the insurance industry for delaying spinal fusion surgery for 1.5 years, and he might believe that if he'd had the surgery sooner he would have been fully healed. Common sense says that he had a disability and he refused to take precautions to prevent that disability from worsening. When his actions worsened his condition, he wanted to blame someone else.

At the same time, he may have been pre-occupied with the words of the Unabomber, and somehow decided that a random act of terrorism against the insurance industry was his path to fame. We saw him jogging and cycling on the day of the murder, so he appears to be able-bodied.

Many of us older folks are even guilty of over reach in what we "should" do to avoid pain and disfunction at times! The drive to want to "live normally" can overpower our better judgemental at times. I can only imagine how very much Luigi wanted this for himself.

 

[otto]

I totally agree that obsession, compulsion, and fixation played a part in this horrible act. I'd like to know how that happened.

Below is one of the few twitter comments that he left on his profile. He's jealous that low-hanging-fruit math theorems were solved 2500 years ago. There are plenty of unsolved math problems today, but he's apparently unable to solve them. What he wants is fame for something as important as deriving a theorem that is taught to children aged 12-14.

Since he can't have fame for solving easy math theorems, he wants to ponder new problems that might make him as famous as Pythagorus.

Next, he turns to the Unabomber Manifesto and decides that the information in the manifesto is true, which inspires him to connect that ideology with a modern day problem. What modern day problem does he know best? Dealing with insurance claims. He puts two and two together and makes five because he thinks he's solving a modern day problem as important as the Pythagorus Theorem.

 

[concernedcitizen706]

<modsnip - no link>

--- the other issue is, how did Luigi even know he was shooting the right guy? Luigi was across the street, it was dark then he crossed and saw him from the back. It's New York City, thousands of guys look like that CEO. How does he know when he's leaving his hotel, which entrance he's taking, and then he barely got to look at him. How did he even know he was shooting the right person?

Luigi was on the phone right before this happened. And I believe that was whoever he was working with, telling him what was going on. So no, I don't know believe this was a simple case. I believe it goes a lot higher.

 

[otto]

Many of us older folks are even guilty of over reach in what we "should" do to avoid pain and disfunction at times! The drive to want to "live normally" can overpower our better judgemental at times. I can only imagine how very much Luigi wanted this for himself.

I have no doubt that, after aggravating a childhood spinal weakness, he had difficulty coping. However, he continued to participate in sports that ultimately led to a physical disability.

Given his age of 26, he probably expected medical science to restore him to perfect health. Indeed, 8 days post-surgery he claimed to be fully recovered. Online surgery related info states caution for 6 months. He wants to be a miracle man who had surgery at a young age, was immediately cured, and never suffered spinal disability or pain again.

His twitter comments lean towards endorsing magic mushrooms rather than alcohol, so it's unlikely that he was cured. In fact, he may have disregarded medical advice and resumed sports too soon.

Ten months after the surgery, he stopped bragging about the miracles of the surgery. Two months after that, he went silent.

It's not much of a stretch to think that he started taking magic mushrooms and other similar drugs (not cocaine or alcohol), and somehow convinced himself that he could follow the thinking of the unabomber to create a new world order.

He's not mentally ill. He embraced radical thinking and acted in what he calls "brutal honesty" by shooting a stranger in the back.

 

[otto]

<modsnip - no link>

--- the other issue is, how did Luigi even know he was shooting the right guy? Luigi was across the street, it was dark then he crossed and saw him from the back. It's New York City, thousands of guys look like that CEO. How does he know when he's leaving his hotel, which entrance he's taking, and then he barely got to look at him. How did he even know he was shooting the right person?

Luigi was on the phone right before this happened. And I believe that was whoever he was working with, telling him what was going on. So no, I don't know believe this was a simple case. I believe it goes a lot higher.

That's an interesting possibility. I'm also curious about the phone call on the morning of the shooting. Was it faked to give the illusion of another person, or is there another person? His own manifesto states that he's acting alone. Why is it important to him to put that in writing up front? He tells police that they shouldn't look for an accomplice.

Also, important to remember that when his former roommate suggested reading the Unabomber Manifesto with the book club (that LM started with his remote worker friends), most people left the book club. Mangione wanted to discuss the book with others. If he didn't find them in person, he would have found them online.

Is that why he tipped from reading TO identifying a social problem TO acting on it?

When he was silent from July 1 - Dec 4, was he talking online with someone who encouraged rage and radicalism?

 

[concernedcitizen706]

The other issue I have with this shooting, and it's kind of a small issue. I'm wondering why CEO Brian Thompson wore a bright blue blazer that morning. Is that color really a professional color to give a speech at your conference, at one of the most important events of the year? Is bright blue really a professional color? I mean was he going to go back and change after breakfast, or what? I kind of doubt it, cuz it doesn't seem like he would have much time to do that.

So to me, the color looks like he didn't intend on going to the conference. To me, that color looks like he might have been involved in it. I feel like that color was a tip to the shooter, like, watch out for him, he's the guy wearing the bright blue blazer. I mean he was being investigated for insider trading, so we have to consider all options.

 

[concernedcitizen706]

That's an interesting possibility. I'm also curious about the phone call on the morning of the shooting. Was it faked to give the illusion of another person, or is there another person? His own manifesto states that he's acting alone. Why is it important to him to put that in writing up front? He tells police that they shouldn't look for an accomplice.

Also, important to remember that when his former roommate suggested reading the Unabomber Manifesto with the book club (that LM started with his remote worker friends), most people left the book club. Mangione wanted to discuss the book with others. If he didn't find them in person, he would have found them online.

Is that why he tipped from reading TO identifying a social problem TO acting on it?

When he was silent from July 1 - Dec 4, was he talking online with someone who encouraged rage and radicalism?

You know Luigi was without a job and cut off from his family. Let's not assume money could not be a motivating factor for him. He's saying it's all about a social issue, but I think it's possible that's an excuse.

 

[maamager]

The other issue I have with this shooting, and it's kind of a small issue. I'm wondering why CEO Brian Thompson wore a bright blue blazer that morning. Is that color really a professional color to give a speech at your conference, at one of the most important events of the year? Is bright blue really a professional color? I mean was he going to go back and change after breakfast, or what? I kind of doubt it, cuz it doesn't seem like he would have much time to do that.

So to me, the color looks like he didn't intend on going to the conference. To me, that color looks like he might have been involved in it. I feel like that color was a tip to the shooter, like, watch out for him, he's the guy wearing the bright blue blazer. I mean he was being investigated for insider trading, so we have to consider all options.

you have great attention to detail! i just assumed BT was playing into the UHC blue color branding they have going on, but this is very interesting!

 

[concernedcitizen706]

you have great attention to detail! i just assumed BT was playing into the UHC blue color branding they have going on, but this is very interesting!

So because of your comment, I just looked up the United healthcare logo. And the colors are very dark navy blue and white. No blueberry bright blue there.

 

[maamager]

So because of your comment, I just looked up the United healthcare logo. And the colors are very dark navy blue and white. No blueberry bright blue there.

yes, but my UHC insurance card has a more vivid blue (if it counts). also, not sure how much cctv warps the color — i think it’s likely it might be more muted irl. great observance either way!

 

[otto]

You know Luigi was without a job and cut off from his family. Let's not assume money could not be a motivating factor for him. He's saying it's all about a social issue, but I think it's possible that's an excuse.

He lost his job in June 2023. His mother was in touch with him until July 1, 2024, when Mangione cut contact. She reported him missing in Nov 2024, believing that he was working in San Francisco at TrueCar at the time.

Between June 2023, when he lost his job, and July 2024, he travelled to the East Coast for surgery, then San Francisco, Honolulu, Baltimore, then Japan, Thailand, and other parts of Asia.

I don't believe that he had a trust fund, but he clearly had access to travel money for more than a year without working.

Mangione was influenced by terrorist ideologies, and may have been further radicalized through online contacts between July and December 2024, after he cut contact with friends and family.

Where does personal profit money fit with his actions? He's probably dreaming about book and movie deals, hoping that his ideas are taught to children at school in 2500 years.

 

[otto]

So because of your comment, I just looked up the United healthcare logo. And the colors are very dark navy blue and white. No blueberry bright blue there.

In online photos of Brian Thompson, he's typically wearing a blue shirt, but not a blue suit.

 

[otto]

Mangione was curious about terrorist ideologies in 2023. He may have sought online contacts to discuss those ideas, and may have been radicalized online between July and December 2024, after he cut contact with friends and family.

I guess that's the question that police want to unravel through his devices like phone, laptop. Mangione claims that, as a tech whiz, he has his devices locked down tight. That may be true today, but technology moves fast. What is locked down today is dangerously accessible tomorrow (crypto currency ransoms).
<modsnip - no link>

 

[Marantz4250b]

Following this from the UK.

Having executed his plan and disappeared very effectively, I'm amazed that the suspect's movements after the event were so sloppy. He didn't get rid of the fake ID's and the weapon and hung around in public places such as that McDonalds. One would have expected him to lay very low and perhaps change his appearance too.

I'm also curious to know how he was cognisant with the victim's movements that day, perhaps he was aware of the event BT was attending and just decided to wait it out, but I do wonder if he wasn't acting alone.

R.I.P. Brian Thompson

That's because he is arrogant and no where near the "genius" he thinks he is.

He's just a common criminal, in reality.

 

[otto]

The faraday bag that he used for his cell phone - which blocks cell phone tracking - when I first read that I wondered why it mattered. Police found him shortly after the murder without tracking his phone.

I guess what matters is where his phone has been during the past 6 months. That's the information that police need to eliminate the possibility that an accomplice radicalized Mangione.

 

[justpeachy22]

I have no doubt that, after aggravating a childhood spinal weakness, he had difficulty coping. However, he continued to participate in sports that ultimately led to a physical disability.

Given his age of 26, he probably expected medical science to restore him to perfect health. Indeed, 8 days post-surgery he claimed to be fully recovered. Online surgery related info states caution for 6 months. He wants to be a miracle man who had surgery at a young age, was immediately cured, and never suffered spinal disability or pain again.

His twitter comments lean towards endorsing magic mushrooms rather than alcohol, so it's unlikely that he was cured. In fact, he may have disregarded medical advice and resumed sports too soon.

Ten months after the surgery, he stopped bragging about the miracles of the surgery. Two months after that, he went silent.

It's not much of a stretch to think that he started taking magic mushrooms and other similar drugs (not cocaine or alcohol), and somehow convinced himself that he could follow the thinking of the unabomber to create a new world order.

He's not mentally ill. He embraced radical thinking and acted in what he calls "brutal honesty" by shooting a stranger in the back.

I’m with you Otto. I don’t think mental illness is a factor in this case. We tend to jump towards all murderers being mentally ill, but i don’t think that’s the case here. Radicalized, yes. As we’ve read, this kid was used to being at the top of his game for most of his life; with the loss of a job and perhaps physical health, I think he was searching for a way to be back on top. He knew his mind was A game, and he sought out and fell prey to internet radicals. Being a radical was a way for him to still be a leader, to “be the first”. All moo. I have been silent through this case heartbroken for a young man who made the wrong choices; jail is good for him to detox from the internet and to search for self reflection on his crime, but I wish reformatory was an option here. Assuming his parents hired his atty through one or two degrees of separation.

 

[Inthedetails]

Next, he turns to the Unabomber Manifesto and decides that the information in the manifesto is true, which inspires him to connect that ideology with a modern day problem. What modern day problem does he know best? Dealing with insurance claims. He puts two and two together and makes five because he thinks he's solving a modern day problem as important as the Pythagorus Theorem.

snipped

Nailed it! imo

And then he got a gun.

jmo

 

[IDK]

Interesting definitions of social engineering:
(Which was Mentioned in the manifesto)


“Social engineering attacks manipulate people into sharing information that they shouldn’t share, downloading software that they shouldn’t download, visiting websites they shouldn’t visit, sending money to criminals or making other mistakes that compromise their personal or organizational security.”

What is Social Engineering? | IBM

Social engineering attacks rely on human nature to manipulate people into compromising their personal security or the security of an enterprise network.

www.ibm.com

It’s also a term used in political science. I wonder exactly what LM was referring to in his manifesto.:

“Social engineering is a term which has been used to mean top-down efforts to influence particular attitudes and social behaviors on a large scale—most often undertaken by governments, but also carried out by media, academia or private groups—in order to produce desired characteristics in a target population.”

Social engineering (political science) - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

(Using Wikipedia just for a quick link)

 

[otto]

I’m with you Otto. I don’t think mental illness is a factor in this case. We tend to jump towards all murderers being mentally ill, but i don’t think that’s the case here. Radicalized, yes. As we’ve read, this kid was used to being at the top of his game for most of his life; with the loss of a job and perhaps physical health, I think he was searching for a way to be back on top. He knew his mind was A game, and he sought out and fell prey to internet radicals. Being a radical was a way for him to still be a leader, to “be the first”. All moo. I have been silent through this case heartbroken for a young man who made the wrong choices; jail is good for him to detox from the internet and to search for self reflection on his crime, but I wish reformatory was an option here. Assuming his parents hired his atty through one or two degrees of separation.

Reformatory is wishful thinking. Detox might get him back to his former self, but he will always be the man who went one step too far resulting in murder.

The fact that he had these thoughts and took these actions at the age of 26 tells us that he is susceptible to hearing, acting on, or spreading, these ideas at any future time in his life.

His former roommate said that Mangione has leadership qualities. Mangione was comfortable starting a book club in Honolulu with his former remote-workers community, even though he no longer had a job. It sounds like he had some leadership tendencies, he gathered people together to discuss the unabomber manifesto. They pulled away.

Mangione's high school essay about paganism and Christianity describes Christianity as something created by the masses to conquer Rome's aristocracy. It's simplistic with errors, but maybe he thinks he's starting a grass roots swell against society where tech whizzes run the world, and insurance industry executives are proper bean-counting pencil pushers.

 

[otto]

Interesting definitions of social engineering:
(Which was Mentioned in the manifesto)


“Social engineering attacks manipulate people into sharing information that they shouldn’t share, downloading software that they shouldn’t download, visiting websites they shouldn’t visit, sending money to criminals or making other mistakes that compromise their personal or organizational security.”

What is Social Engineering? | IBM

Social engineering attacks rely on human nature to manipulate people into compromising their personal security or the security of an enterprise network.

www.ibm.com

It’s also a term used in political science. I wonder exactly what LM was referring to in his manifesto.:

“Social engineering is a term which has been used to mean top-down efforts to influence particular attitudes and social behaviors on a large scale—most often undertaken by governments, but also carried out by media, academia or private groups—in order to produce desired characteristics in a target population.”

Social engineering (political science) - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

(Using Wikipedia just for a quick link)

Social Engineering is similar to Mangione's description of the emergence of Christianity as a reaction to aristocratic social engineering. If anything, he is a victim of social engineering in that he fell for radicalized thinking and abandoned his lifelong dreams of game design.

This link is from his twitter account, which is linked upthread. He wrote this for school at the age of 16. What surprised me is that everything is referenced as he makes the argument. That's rather sophisticated writing for Grade 10. It's one of the few links that he left on his twitter site.

Luigi Mangione, 5/13/14
How Christianity Prospered by Appealing to the Lower Classes of Ancient Rome

Mangione Final Draft

How Christianity Prospered by Appealing to the Lower Classes of Ancient Rome Luigi Mangione Teachers: Dr. Harris and Mr. Hastings Due Date: 5/13/14 “As a gentleman, I have acted honorably on this paper” X Luigi Mangione Paganism is defined a polytheistic, non-Abrahamic religion c...

docs.google.com