The man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, is reportedly receiving significant attention from admirers during his incarceration at Huntingdon State Correctional Institute in Pennsylvania.
According to a report by the New York Post, Mangione has received over 140 messages from supporters, including emails, physical letters, and financial deposits totaling 163 contributions to his commissary account. These interactions reportedly come from individuals who have been labeled “groupies.”
Mangione is accused of fatally shooting Thompson on December 4 outside the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan. The incident drew national attention, and his alleged actions have sparked a divisive reaction, with some individuals even celebrating the crime.
The Post noted that some supporters have gone as far as tattooing images of Mangione on their bodies. Additionally, a University of Pennsylvania professor, who identifies as a socialist, reportedly referred to Mangione as an “icon.”
The case continues to unfold, with many condemning the troubling glorification of the accused while others express concern over what they see as a dangerous cultural phenomenon.
The family of Mangione expressed shock and devastation following his arrest. In a statement shared by Nino Mangione, a Republican delegate in Baltimore County, the family offered prayers for Thompson’s family and urged public prayers for all involved. They emphasized that they were learning details through media reports and could not provide additional comments.
Luigi Mangione, 26, was arrested Monday at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, ending a five-day manhunt. A restaurant employee recognized him from widely circulated photos and alerted police. When officers approached, Mangione appeared visibly nervous, presented a fake New Jersey ID, and was taken into custody. Police found a ghost gun with a silencer and a handwritten manifesto allegedly linking him to the crime.
The manifesto reportedly included a chilling message: “These parasites had it coming. I do apologize for any strife or traumas but it had to be done.”
Mangione’s arrest followed weeks of estrangement from family and friends. His mother reported him missing on November 18, potentially from his former residence in San Francisco. Law enforcement and acquaintances described a significant decline in his mental state, attributed to a “traumatic” back surgery months earlier. High school friends and former roommates recounted how he became increasingly isolated and erratic after the procedure, which involved extensive spinal hardware.