 "Following the shocking murder of Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, investigators have uncovered some new clues that they believe bring them closer to identifying the mysterious killer. AFP")
Following the shocking murder of Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, investigators have uncovered some new clues that they believe bring them closer to identifying the mysterious killer.
On Wednesday morning, Thompson , who leads one of the US’s largest insurance companies, was shot dead by an unknown attacker outside a Manhattan hotel where his company was holding a conference.
Described by police as a “brazen, targeted attack,” the murder has sparked a manhunt in New York City. With the killer still at large, police are focused on uncovering the motive behind the crime.
Here are the latest details.
Messages on bullet cases
According to Police sources quoted by ABC News, the detectives discovered a bullet casings left at the scene by the killer, which had some cryptic messages on them.
The shell casings had the words ‘deny’, ‘defend’, and ‘depose’ inscribed on them. The news outlet said the NYPD detectives are working to determine whether the words were meant as a message from the shooter and a hint at his motive.
Police revealed that Thompson was shot multiple times by an assailant who approached him from behind as he neared the New York Hilton Midtown on Sixth Avenue around 6:45 am. He was on his way to attend his company’s annual investor conference.
Joseph Kenny, the chief of detectives, said officers found Thompson on the ground outside the hotel, suffering from gunshot wounds to his right calf and back. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 7:12 am.
Witnesses described the gunman as a man wearing a “very distinctive” grey backpack, black-and-white sneakers, and a black face mask. He had arrived about five minutes before Thompson and was loitering near the building, ignoring others, before he approached and attacked Thompson from behind.
He then walked into the alley acquired an electric bicycle, and rode towards Central Park via Center Drive before vanishing.
However, during the escape, cops suspect the shooter may have dropped some items.
The NYPD Chief of Detectives told ABC News that a phone was recovered in the alley the suspect fled through.
A water bottle was also found at the scene, which investigators believe was bought at a nearby Starbucks the assassin visited shortly before the shooting, investigators told CNN. Moreover, a candy wrapper was retrieved at the same location.
Detectives are looking into the possibility that all three items are connected to the shooter. Testing is currently underway to check for any usable fingerprints or DNA.
The killer can be an experienced shooter
The killer may have been a highly skilled marksman, detectives told CNN, pointing to the suspect’s calm and calculated approach during the attack.
Surveillance footage revealed the gunman aiming a semi-automatic pistol at Thompson from 20 feet away. Despite the weapon jamming three times, the shooter maintained composure, quickly clearing each malfunction before continuing to fire while advancing towards his target.
“From watching the video, it does seem that he’s proficient in the use of firearms as he was able to clear the malfunctions pretty quickly,” said Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny.
Firearms experts cited by CNN noted that the suspect’s handling of the situation reflected the training typical of someone with a law enforcement or military background.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch echoed this sentiment at a news conference, describing the attack as “premeditated”.
Meanwhile, Thompson’s wife, Paulette, revealed to NBC News that her husband had previously received threats, though she could not provide specifics.
“Basically, I don’t know, a lack of coverage?” she said, appearing to suggest a potential insurance-related motive. “I don’t know details. I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him.”
A crucial witness located
Currently, the top priority for investigators is to determine Thompson’s most recent conversations and movements, sources told ABC News.
In the surveillance footage at the scene, investigators have captured a potential witness—a woman dressed in dark clothing and holding a coffee cup—emerging from a doorway as the assailant fired nearby.
Her identity remains unknown, and authorities have not suggested any link between her and Thompson. But based on her reaction, it appears she was caught off guard by the incident, initially taking cover before fleeing the scene.
Investigators are eager to locate this crucial witness, according to a report by Daily Mail.
Who is Brian Thompson?
Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare, led one of the largest health insurers in the US, providing coverage to over 49 million Americans.
He had worked at the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based company for two decades and led its insurance division, which employed about 140,000 people, since 2021. Before that, he ran the company’s Medicare and retirement business.
As CEO, he was one of the company’s highest-paid executives, with a $10.2 million annual compensation package.
However, the 50-year-old did often garner attention due to his influence on how Americans receive medical treatment. During an investor meeting last year, he described his company’s move to “value-based care,” which involves paying physicians and other carers to look after patients’ health rather than just treating them once.
Thompson also faced controversies, including backlash over proposed ER payment policies in 2021 and a lawsuit in May for alleged fraud and illegal insider trading. Despite his significant role, he remained relatively low-profile outside the industry.
With input from agencies