The chilling murder of UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson has taken an unusual turn as NYPD detectives discovered Monopoly money in a backpack believed to belong to the masked gunman who carried out the targeted killing.
The gray backpack was found hidden in the brush near Central Park’s Heckscher Playground on Friday night, south of the carousel. Law enforcement sources confirmed it matched the one worn by the shooter during the brazen, caught-on-camera attack. Alongside the colorful play cash, the bag also contained a jacket, adding to the growing list of clues.
A Chilling Trail Through Central Park
The assassin, described as methodical and masked, gunned down Thompson outside the Hilton Hotel on Sixth Avenue early Wednesday morning. Using a firearm with a silencer, the killer fired multiple shots, hitting Thompson in the back and right calf before fleeing on foot.
The suspect’s escape route led investigators through Central Park, where a massive search involving over 100 officers and drones culminated in the recovery of the bag. Surveillance footage revealed the shooter’s movements, including stops at a Starbucks and a hostel in the Upper West Side, where he kept his mask on even in his room, according to roommates.
Cryptic Messages and Growing Speculation
Authorities have uncovered a chilling detail in the investigation: shell casings and live rounds engraved with the words “deny,” “depose,” and “defend.” These messages are being scrutinized as potential motives or warnings tied to the assassination.
Thompson, 50, was walking to an investor event without a security detail when he was killed. His wife, Paulette, revealed he had been receiving threats before his death. Thompson, who became UnitedHealth CEO in 2021, was among senior executives under investigation by the Department of Justice, fueling speculation about a possible connection between his professional life and the attack.
The Hunt Intensifies
Despite extensive efforts by the NYPD and FBI, the shooter remains at large. Authorities believe he fled the city on a Greyhound bus bound for Atlanta after escaping Central Park on a bike.
Mayor Eric Adams, addressing the ongoing manhunt, remained tight-lipped about whether the suspect had been identified. “The net is tightening,” he assured.
With forensic testing underway on the distinctive backpack and the investigation expanding, law enforcement hopes to uncover the assassin’s identity and motives behind this shocking, high-profile murder.
