Luigi Mangione: Accused killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO, Brian Thompson, one step closer to death penalty

Accused UnitedHealthcare CEO killer Luigi Mangione has moved one step closer to the death penalty after he was indicted on a federal murder charge.

Mangione is accused of the New York street slaying of Brian Thompson in December last year, in a case that captured headlines around the globe.

The indictment returned by a grand jury in Manhattan federal court also set charges against Mangione for two counts of stalking and a firearms count, but the murder indictment is a crucial step for prosecutors as they lobby for the death penalty.

Mangione’s arraignment date is yet to be determined.

The Daily Mail is reporting that Mangione, 26, also faces separate state murder charges after being accused of shooting Thompson, 50, in the back outside a Manhattan hotel as the executive arrived for UnitedHealthcare´s annual investor conference.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced this month that she had directed federal prosecutors in Manhattan to seek the death penalty, following through on the president´s campaign promise to vigorously pursue capital punishment.

Bondi said in a statement that her office would push for the ultimate punishment, describing Thompson’s assassination in December as ‘premeditated and cold-blooded’.

‘After careful consideration, I have directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty in this case as we carry out President Trump’s agenda to stop violent crime and Make America Safe Again,’ Bondi said.

The killing and ensuing five-day manhunt leading to Mangione´s arrest rattled the business community, with some health insurers hastily switching to remote work or online shareholder meetings.

Surveillance video showed a masked gunman shooting Thompson from behind. Police say the words ‘delay,’ ‘deny’ and ‘depose’ were scrawled on the ammunition, mimicking a phrase commonly used to describe how insurers avoid paying claims.

Mangione was arrested in a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania after a multi-day manhunt. before he denied the charges and pleaded not guilty to state murder and terror charges on December 23, 2024.

Mangione’s actions and subsequent attacks on the health insurance industry became of a focus for activist groups who came out in support of the idea of holding the healthcare giants accountable for skyrocketing medical bills in the US..

Mangione remains behind bars at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York, and is housed in the same unit as Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs.

A legal donation fund that was created soon after Mangione was arrested has since amassed more than $900,000 - nearly reaching its goal of $1 million.

In March he received a massive donation of $36,5000 from an anonymous donor who left an enigmatic message.

‘What intrigues me about this case is how unified folks’ responses are regardless of strata,’ the mystery donor said.

‘In Corporate America, for instance, there has been widespread doubt of potential prosecutorial mishandling and overcharging.

‘I’ve also been surprised at the almost ubiquitous nature of support towards the suspect that I would expect to be quite bifurcated in this type of litigation. Quite exceptional.’