The FBI has interviewed the mother of Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
She was questioned by law enforcement just over a day before Mangione’s capture in Pennsylvania.
In a candid exchange with investigators, she reportedly suggested that such an act was something she could imagine her son committing.
Authorities in California connected Mangione’s name to the case after recognizing him in photos released by the New York Police Department (NYPD).
These photos were part of a widespread effort to locate Mangione following the December 4 ambush murder of Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel.
San Francisco police, who had been handling a missing person report filed by Mangione’s mother, Kathleen, in November, played a pivotal role in the identification.
A San Francisco police officer working on the missing person case noticed the photos, which matched Mangione’s description, and contacted the FBI. The bureau, already collaborating with the NYPD, relayed the information to officers in New York.
On December 7, NYPD investigators reached out to Kathleen to confirm whether the man in the photos could be her son. According to NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny, Kathleen did not definitively identify her son in the images but made a striking admission.
“She didn’t indicate it was her son in the photograph, but she said it might be something she could see him doing,” Kenny revealed during a press briefing.
The call with Kathleen occurred late on December 7, approximately 48 hours before Mangione was apprehended in Altoona, Pennsylvania.
Acting on a tip from an observant McDonald’s employee who recognized Mangione from publicized images, law enforcement officers moved in to arrest him.
At the time of his capture on December 9, Mangione was found in possession of a 9mm handgun with a 3D-printed receiver, multiple magazines, a homemade silencer, and a forged New Jersey identification card.
On Tuesday, Mangione was formally indicted by a grand jury in New York. The charges include:
- One count of first-degree murder
- Two counts of second-degree murder
- Multiple counts of criminal possession of a weapon
- One count of criminal possession of a forged instrument
Mangione is currently being held in Pennsylvania as authorities work to secure his extradition to New York. Sources close to the case have indicated that Mangione does not intend to contest the extradition during his scheduled hearing on Thursday.
Mangione is accused of fatally shooting Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, outside the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan on the morning of December 4.
Authorities allege that Mangione, armed with a 3D-printed ghost gun equipped with a silencer, ambushed Thompson from behind, firing two shots—one to the back and another to the leg—before fleeing the scene. Thompson was pronounced dead shortly after being transported to Mount Sinai Hospital.
The break in the case came when San Francisco police connected Mangione’s name to the NYPD’s investigation. Mangione had been reported missing by his mother weeks before the murder, adding a layer of complexity to the unfolding narrative. Kathleen’s involvement proved critical, offering investigators a personal perspective on her son’s mental state and potential motives.
This development marked a turning point in the investigation, leading to a nationwide manhunt that culminated in Mangione’s arrest in Pennsylvania.
NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny emphasized the collaborative efforts among multiple agencies, including the FBI, in apprehending Mangione. “This was a joint effort, and we owe much of the success in this case to the keen observations of law enforcement officers and civilians alike,” he stated.
Mangione’s alleged use of a ghost gun—a firearm with no serial number, often assembled from kits—has also reignited debates about the ease with which such weapons can be acquired and used in violent crimes.
Law enforcement officials are investigating how Mangione obtained the weapon and whether it was connected to his documented use of forged identification.
As the case moves forward, Mangione’s extradition to New York is expected to be finalized soon. His legal team has signaled that he will plead not guilty to the charges.
Meanwhile, the family and colleagues of Brian Thompson continue to mourn the loss of a prominent healthcare leader, whose untimely death has sent shockwaves through the industry and beyond.
Authorities remain tight-lipped about potential motives, though sources suggest Mangione’s background and actions leading up to the murder are being thoroughly scrutinized.
The chilling nature of the crime has left many grappling with questions about Mangione’s intentions and mental state. Kathleen’s remarks about her son’s capacity for violence have sparked a broader conversation about the challenges families face in addressing troubling behavior before it escalates into tragedy.
As Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg put it during a recent press briefing, “We are committed to pursuing justice for Brian Thompson and his loved ones. This senseless act of violence cannot and will not be tolerated.”
Mangione’s next court appearance in Pennsylvania is scheduled for Thursday, after which he is expected to be transported to New York to face trial.
