Authorities have named Luigi Nicolas Mangione, 26, as a suspect in the shooting death of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Mangione, a University of Pennsylvania graduate with a degree in computer science, was arrested in Pennsylvania after a nearly week-long manhunt.

The Arrest and Evidence

Mangione was apprehended at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Police reportedly found him with a fake ID linked to a New York City hostel and a firearm resembling the weapon used in Thompson’s killing.

Mangione’s Online Footprint

Mangione maintained a broad digital presence that provides insight into his interests and potential motives. On LinkedIn, he lists his current position as a data engineer with TrueCar Inc. and past volunteer work at Lorien Healthcare Services, an assisted living facility founded by his grandparents, Nicholas and Mary Mangione.

His posts on X (formerly Twitter) ranged from artificial intelligence and human immortality to critiques of healthcare systems. Among his retweets were messages on mental health, including one advocating for the use of psychedelics in therapy and another from neuroscientist Andrew Huberman discussing brain rhythm disruptions in psychiatric disorders.

On Goodreads, Mangione had logged 65 books, including several focusing on chronic back pain. Titles included Back Mechanic by Dr. Stuart McGill and Crooked: Outwitting the Back Pain Industry and Getting on the Road to Recovery by Cathryn Jakobson Ramin. His to-read list also featured Lack in Control: A Spine Surgeon’s Roadmap Out of Chronic Pain and The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture.

A Controversial Review and Dark Interests

One of Mangione’s Goodreads reviews has drawn significant attention. He praised Industrial Society and Its Future, the manifesto by the Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski, describing it as “clearly written by a mathematics prodigy” and defending its radical perspectives:
“When all other forms of communication fail, violence is necessary to survive. You may not like his methods, but to see things from his perspective … It’s not terrorism, it’s war and revolution.”

Healthcare Critiques and Public Reaction

Notes found with Mangione reportedly contained critiques of healthcare insurance systems, echoing public frustration with the industry. In the wake of Thompson’s death, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield reversed a controversial policy limiting payments for anesthesia, a decision some attributed to the heightened scrutiny following the CEO’s assassination.

Mangione’s arrest turned him into an online antihero for some internet users angry about modern healthcare practices. His Instagram follower count skyrocketed from 823 to over 10,000 after his identity was revealed. His last post, dated August 27, 2021, now has over 600 comments.

Ongoing Investigation

Authorities have yet to release a motive, but Mangione’s digital and literary history suggests frustrations with healthcare and chronic pain management may have played a role. Additional reporting by Megha Gupta highlights the ongoing conversation about the impact of healthcare policies and the personal struggles tied to chronic conditions.

The investigation continues to unfold as the public grapples with the complexities of this case.