The shocking murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel on Wednesday morning has left investigators piecing together a puzzling and chilling crime scene. The suspect, still at large, may have left a cryptic message on the bullets used to kill the 50-year-old executive, according to police sources.
Cryptic Words Engraved on Bullets: A Message for the Industry?
NYPD detectives recovered three live 9mm rounds and three discharged shell casings outside the Hilton hotel on Sixth Avenue, where Thompson was set to host an investors’ conference. Engraved on the ammunition were the words “deny,” “depose,” and “defend.”
The eerie inscriptions bear a striking resemblance to the title of a 2010 book critical of the insurance industry: Delay, Deny, Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don’t Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It. Thompson, one of the most powerful figures in the industry, led UnitedHealthcare, a company often criticized for its claim rejections.
A Brazen, Calculated Assassination
Surveillance footage captured the masked gunman calmly waiting outside the Hilton before opening fire on Thompson at close range around 6:46 a.m. The shooter, using a silencer, methodically fired multiple shots, striking Thompson’s back and calf. When the firearm jammed, the gunman cleared it with practiced skill, ensuring the execution was completed.
After the attack, the suspect fled on an e-bike, vanishing into Central Park, where surveillance coverage is limited.
Evidence Piles Up, Suspect Leaves a Trail
While the killer’s escape was swift, investigators are analyzing a trove of evidence that could lead to a breakthrough. Surveillance cameras captured the suspect minutes before the shooting at a nearby Starbucks, where he purchased coffee and PowerBars. Police retrieved discarded items, including a coffee cup and water bottle, from a trash can.
In a nearby alley, investigators found a phone believed to belong to the suspect. A search warrant has been obtained to examine its contents.
Threats and Motive: Was Thompson Targeted?
Thompson’s wife, Paulette, revealed that the family had received threats in the weeks leading up to the murder, though details remain unclear. “There had been some threats,” she said. “I don’t know if it was related to a lack of coverage or something else.”
UnitedHealthcare confirmed the threats but noted that such incidents are not uncommon for high-profile executives in the healthcare sector.
Thompson, a father of two and CEO since 2021, had been under scrutiny as part of a Department of Justice probe into insider trading. Whether the investigation or his role in the controversial health insurance industry played a part in the killing is still under investigation.
NYPD Manhunt Intensifies
A manhunt for the suspect is underway, with the NYPD offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Chief of Detectives Joe Kenny confirmed that the killing was targeted, stating, “This does not appear to be a random act of violence.”
Brian Thompson’s murder has rocked the healthcare and corporate world, leaving many questioning the motives behind such a chilling and deliberate act. As the investigation unfolds, all eyes remain on the NYPD to uncover the truth behind this brazen assassination.
