The case has become emblematic of debates over health insurance, corporate accountability, protest violence, and criminal justice. (Photo: AP)
Luigi Nicholas Mangione (born May 6, 1998) is an American man charged with the December 2024 assassination of Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare. His arrest, trial motions, public reaction, and legal strategy have generated intense media and public attention.
The case has become emblematic of debates over health insurance, corporate accountability, protest violence, and criminal justice.
Luigi Mangione is alleged to have traveled to New York City, stalked, and shot Brian Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel on December 4, 2024. He was arrested on December 9, 2024, in Altoona, Pennsylvania, after a nationwide manhunt.
Prosecutors allege he used a 3D-printed gun and suppressor, and carried a “manifesto” criticizing health insurance companies. He faces multiple federal and state charges, including murder, stalking, weapons offenses, and previously, some terrorism counts.
He is American, with stated birthplace Towson, Maryland. Public sources list Nicholas Mangione (grandfather) and Nino Mangione (cousin) among relatives.
Details about his parents, upbringing, or deeper family background are not widely reported in credible sources.
Ethnicity is generally described as white / Caucasian, consistent with US reporting.
According to his Wikipedia entry, he attended the University of Pennsylvania, earning BSE and MSE degrees.
That suggests he had a strong academic background before the alleged crime, though many media articles focus less on his education than on the criminal case.
His legal team includes Karen Friedman Agnifilo, a former Manhattan prosecutor, for the New York case. In Pennsylvania, he has been represented by Thomas Dickey. Defense arguments include a motion to dismiss federal charges, including the death penalty count, alleging that “stalking” doesn't qualify as a “crime of violence.”
Suppression motions to exclude evidence obtained without proper warrants (e.g., the gun in his backpack) and claims of violation of his Miranda rights. Contesting that some statements by public officials prejudiced the case. A request to drop state murder charges, citing double jeopardy, given parallel federal prosecution.
In his alleged “manifesto,” authorities contend Mangione expressed deep grievances about the health insurance industry, corporate greed, and the perceived suffering of individuals due to denied claims.
His supporters view him as a protest figure or symbol of outrage against powerful institutions. Some praise the act (controversially) as a form of resistance to what they see as systemically unjust health care practices.
Critics argue the killing was cold-blooded murder, and that the motive is an extreme, dangerous way to draw attention to societal problems.
His perp walk in New York, when escorted by police under heavy media coverage, drew intense attention and debate over whether it was a public spectacle. Videos exist of his court appearances and news footage of his arrest, but no mainstream full documentary has surfaced at the time of writing.
One video, “Luigi Mangione wants state murder case dropped, arguing double jeopardy,” is publicly available.
The date of the shooting was December 4, 2024, and terrorism charges (state) were dismissed by a New York judge on September 16, 2025, for being legally insufficient.
He remains charged with second-degree murder and multiple weapons charges at the state level. Federal case continues; prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
No verdict has yet been reached; the trial is ongoing and pending further court rulings. Sentence is undetermined, but if convicted, could face life imprisonment (state) or death (federal), depending on outcomes.
Age: Born May 6, 1998 → he is 27 years old as of late 2025.
Net worth is not reliably documented in public sources. His legal defense fund, named “December 4th Legal Committee”, has raised over $1 million (USD) from grassroots donors.
Some see him as a symbol of righteous anger against health insurance companies and perceived systemic injustice.
His supporters argue that the public debate over access to health care, denied claims, and corporate accountability gives context to the act (though that is widely disputed).
Support has been especially strong among younger demographics and those frustrated with the insurance industry.
