New York is reeling after a brazen murder unfolded early Wednesday morning outside the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan.
A hooded killer, calmly and methodically, shot UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, 50, in the back. Thompson collapsed fatally wounded, while the assassin fled on a bicycle, disappearing into the shadows of Central Park.
Who Was Brian Thompson?
Thompson, the CEO of the insurance giant with an annual revenue of $281.4 billion, lived a seemingly quiet life in Maple Grove, a Minneapolis suburb. He had been separated from his wife, Paulette “Pauley” Thompson, 51, a physical therapist, but their homes were just a block apart. Together, they had two sons, Bryce, 19, and Dane, 16.
Despite his status and a $9.1 million annual salary, Thompson lived relatively modestly. In 2018, he purchased a second home for $1.5 million. Neighbors described him as “quiet and friendly,” though he kept to himself and rarely interacted with others in the community.
While the timeline of the couple’s separation remains unclear, Paulette did not mention Brian in her workplace biography. However, following his death, she spoke warmly of him, saying, “Brian was an incredibly loving, generous, and talented man who touched so many lives.”
A Stellar Career, But Not Without Controversy
Thompson grew up in Iowa and graduated with honors from the University of Iowa, where he earned a GPA of 3.95. His wife also attended the same university. Over the last two decades, Thompson rose through the ranks at UnitedHealthcare, eventually becoming CEO in 2021. At the time, the company praised his “experience, relationships, and values.”
However, his leadership wasn’t without challenges. In 2019, UnitedHealthcare faced backlash for withdrawing from Iowa’s Medicaid program for low-income residents, a decision that sparked significant criticism.
Thompson’s seemingly idyllic suburban life came to a shocking and violent end reminiscent of a scene from a mafia film.
Threats and Allegations
Thompson’s devastated widow revealed to NBC that he had been receiving threats, possibly related to disputes over insurance coverage. “He mentioned there were people threatening him, but I don’t know the details,” she said. Despite this, Thompson reportedly declined personal security.
Adding to the intrigue, Thompson was under suspicion for insider trading. On February 16, he exercised stock options worth $15.1 million—just two weeks before the Department of Justice announced an antitrust investigation into potential market violations by UnitedHealthcare. The company’s stock price plummeted on the news.
Remembered as a Leader and Mentor
Colleagues described Thompson as enthusiastic and passionate, a mentor and friend rather than just a boss. On the morning of his murder, he was en route to a conference, driven and focused.
Then, in a tragic instant, gunshots rang out, ending his life and leaving unanswered questions about the threats, controversies, and circumstances surrounding his death.
The investigation continues as New York mourns the shocking loss of a prominent figure whose life and career were cut short in a cold-blooded attack
