Luigi Mangione 26-year-old former Ivy League graduate who allegedly left a promising career in computer science to plot the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is now facing escalating legal charges as state and federal prosecutors uncover new evidence.
A recently filed federal criminal complaint accuses Mangione of stalking, firearm-related offenses, and planning murder with a firearm. According to the affidavit, Mangione kept a journal where he detailed his deadly scheme, reflected on his process of selecting a target, and commended himself for his persistent research into the victim.
“This investor conference is a true windfall,” one entry reportedly states. “And – most importantly – the message becomes self-evident.”
The new federal case reintroduces the possibility of the death penalty for Luigi Mangione if convicted. His New York criminal defense attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, expressed surprise at the federal charges and suggested that the Manhattan District Attorney’s office might also have been unaware of the Southern District’s actions.
“Is this one case, two cases, two investigations? Is there a joint investigation? Frankly, I’ve never seen anything like this before,” Agnifilo told the New York Post. “This is an exceptionally unusual situation we’re dealing with here.
UnitedHealthcare CEO Murder Suspect Luigi Mangione Hit with New Charges in New York
Mangione allegedly detailed his intention to “wack” an insurance CEO in his journal, expressing a twisted satisfaction over his procrastination, as it had allowed him to “learn more about UHC.”
He purportedly chose the insurance industry as his target because “it checks every box.”
According to prosecutors, Mangione carried out his plan on December 4, shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in the back outside a Hilton hotel in Manhattan, just hours before the company’s annual shareholder conference was set to take place.
“The radicalization sweeping across our country cannot be ignored,” NYC Mayor Eric Adams said Thursday after Mangione was extradited to Manhattan from Pennsylvania. “When incidents like this happen on our streets, or when tragedies unfold on school campuses, it’s a clear cry for help from our young people. We have an obligation not only to make arrests after such acts of violence but also to do much more to prevent them in the first place.”
Timeline of Events: The Assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson
Assistant FBI Director James Dennehy condemned Mangione’s alleged warped sense of morality in a strong statement.
“Luigi Mangione is accused of orchestrating the deliberate and calculated execution of Brian Thompson to provoke national debates,” Dennehy stated. “This alleged plot reflects a disturbing disregard for human life, treating murder as an acceptable means to address personal grievances.”
The affidavit includes surveillance images that allegedly show Mangione approaching and fleeing the scene, the moment of the attack, as well as the suspected murder weapon and a 3D-printed suppressor.
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The affidavit claims Mangione wrote a letter addressed “to the Feds,” where he appeared to downplay the complexity of his alleged actions.
“I wasn’t working with anyone,” the journal states. “This was fairly trivial: Some elementary social engineering, basic CAD, a lot of patience.”
CAD, short for computer-aided design, refers to software used for designing and modeling, while social engineering is a tactic hackers use to manipulate individuals into sharing sensitive information.
Mangione earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in computer science simultaneously from the University of Pennsylvania. He later worked as a computer programmer but reportedly became estranged from his parents over the summer. He resurfaced in New York City earlier this month, allegedly linked to the slaying of Brian Thompson.
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“P.S. you can check serial numbers to verify this is all self-funded,” the letter to the Feds reportedly continued. “My own ATM withdrawals.”
During Mangione’s arrest in Altoona, Pennsylvania, investigators allegedly recovered approximately $10,000 in cash. In court, Mangione denied owning the money.
His defense team has criticized the charges, claiming New York’s first-degree murder indictment, which includes a terrorism allegation, is excessive. The federal charges, they argue, escalate matters even further.
“The federal government’s decision to add to an already overcharged first-degree murder and state terrorism case is highly unusual and raises significant constitutional and statutory double jeopardy concerns,” Mangione’s attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, told Fox News. “We are prepared to challenge these charges in any court.”
The federal complaint mirrors some of the details previously presented by Manhattan prosecutors and the NYPD, while also providing a detailed timeline of events.