Luigi Nicholas Mangione, born on May 6, 1998, in Towson, Maryland, is a 26-year-old American man who has become a polarizing figure following his arrest in connection with the murder of Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, on December 4, 2024, in New York City. Mangione, a member of a prominent Baltimore-area family of Italian descent, was identified as the suspect in the high-profile case, which has sparked widespread public attention and debate due to its implications for the U.S. healthcare system and Mangione’s personal story.
Mangione’s early life was marked by privilege and academic success. Raised in a wealthy family with deep roots in Maryland, he is the grandson of Nicholas Mangione, a real estate developer who built a business empire that includes Hayfields Country Club, Turf Valley Resort, Lorien Health Services, and the WCBM radio station.
Luigi’s father, Louis Mangione, now runs the family’s enterprises. Educated at the elite all-boys Gilman School in Baltimore, Luigi graduated as valedictorian in 2016, delivering a speech that highlighted his curiosity and drive to explore new frontiers. He went on to attend the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in computer science, focusing on artificial intelligence.
During his college years, he interned at tech companies like Firaxis Games and later worked as a data engineer for TrueCar, an online car marketplace, until 2023. Mangione also spent time as a counselor at a Stanford University pre-college program and lived in a co-living space in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 2022, where he engaged in activities like yoga and leading a book club.
In recent years, Mangione’s life took a dramatic turn. Friends and online posts suggest he struggled with chronic back pain, possibly exacerbated by a surfing injury, which led to spinal fusion surgery in 2023.
This health ordeal reportedly fueled his disillusionment with the American healthcare system, though UnitedHealthcare has stated he was not one of their clients. By mid-2024, Mangione had largely withdrawn from social media and contact with friends and family, traveling to Asia before dropping off the radar. His mother reported him missing to the San Francisco Police Department in November 2024, unaware of his whereabouts since July.
The events leading to his arrest unfolded rapidly. On December 4, 2024, Brian Thompson was fatally shot outside the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan, where UnitedHealthcare’s parent company, UnitedHealth Group, was holding its annual investor conference. Authorities allege that Mangione meticulously planned the attack, arriving in New York on November 24, conducting reconnaissance, and using a fake New Jersey ID under the name “Mark Rosario” to check into a hostel.
On the morning of the shooting, he allegedly used a 3D-printed “ghost gun” with a silencer to kill Thompson, firing shots inscribed with the words “DENY,” “DEPOSE,” and “DELAY”—terms often associated with insurance company tactics. A manifesto found on Mangione expressed hostility toward corporate America, particularly the health insurance industry, suggesting a motive rooted in ideological frustration.
Mangione fled New York after the shooting and was apprehended on December 9, 2024, at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, after an employee recognized him from wanted posters. At the time of his arrest, he was carrying the alleged murder weapon, fake IDs, and the manifesto. He now faces a complex web of legal battles: 11 state charges in New York, including first-degree murder and murder as an act of terrorism, and four federal charges, such as murder with a firearm and interstate stalking, the latter of which makes him eligible for the death penalty.
Mangione pleaded not guilty to the state charges on December 23, 2024, and remains in federal custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. His legal team, led by Karen Friedman Agnifilo, has raised concerns about his ability to receive a fair trial, citing prejudicial statements from officials like New York City Mayor Eric Adams and issues with his arrest, including a contested search in Pennsylvania.
Mangione’s case has ignited a firestorm of public reaction. Many on social media and beyond have hailed him as a folk hero, reflecting deep-seated frustration with the U.S. healthcare system’s profit-driven practices. Supporters have rallied with hashtags like “#FreeLuigi,” raised over $500,000 for his legal defense, and even produced street art and merchandise in his name. Critics, however, view his actions as a dangerous act of violence, and officials have condemned the glorification of his alleged crime. This duality has made Mangione a symbol of broader societal tensions, with his story fueling documentaries, protests, and a national conversation about healthcare and justice.
As of March 5, 2025, Mangione’s legal proceedings continue, with his next court date in New York set for June. No trial date has b