Accused assassin Luigi Mangione has publicly admitted to the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson during a federal court hearing, marking a pivotal moment in his case. Mangione also pleaded guilty to federal stalking charges.
In testimony before Judge Margaret Garnett, Mangione detailed his actions: “After years of enduring severe pain from a broken back… I learned UnitedHealth would be holding an investor conference in New York City. I then researched the event online. I observed the annual conference of America’s largest healthcare organization with the stated mission to make the healthcare system better for everyone.”
Mangione revealed he fabricated a gun using a 3D printer equipped with a silencer and magazine before traveling to New York. He posed as an investor managing $50 billion in assets, emailing UnitedHealthcare leadership for conference details. “Unlike my previous interactions with insurers, I received an immediate response within an hour,” he stated. Using that information, Mangione fatally shot Brian Thompson outside the New York Hilton Midtown on December 4, 2024.
“I shot Mr. Thompson in Manhattan and he died,” Mangione confessed. “When I did so, I understood that my actions would place him in fear of death or serious bodily injury.”
Brian Thompson’s widow attended the hearing and was observed crying as Mangione provided his statement. A spokesperson for Thompson’s family stated: “Today’s guilty plea marks an important step toward justice for Brian and for our family… We remain mindful that additional proceedings in New York and Pennsylvania are still to come, and we will continue to seek the justice Brian deserves.”
Mangione’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 28. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison for federal stalking charges. However, his state murder trial—which is set to begin September 8—remains pending as his defense argues New York’s double jeopardy protections should prevent concurrent prosecutions.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office confirmed it has “tirelessly prepared” to pursue a state trial conviction for the alleged cold-blooded murder, while Mangione’s attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo emphasized his long-standing struggles with healthcare systems following a broken back.
