Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, became the center of bizarre adoration during his brief 10-day stint at Pennsylvania’s Huntingdon State Correctional Institute.
The 26-year-old reportedly received more than 140 messages, including love letters and emails from infatuated fans, along with a staggering 163 deposits into his commissary account, corrections officials confirmed.
While the amount of money sent to Mangione remains undisclosed, officials revealed that he received 54 emails and 87 physical letters during his lockup. Among these correspondences were heartfelt messages from admirers, some of whom shared their notes publicly.
Admirers Flock to Support Mangione
One admirer posted on TikTok, gushing about the accused killer’s online fame. “Hey Luigi, I’m certain you’ve received countless messages from people all over the world. The internet is actually in love with you,” she wrote, adding that she offered to be his pen pal.
Another fan, referring to Mangione as “fine [as f–k],” shockingly defended his alleged actions, claiming, “Killing someone that has taken thousands of peoples’ lives himself is not wrong, imo.”
Some supporters went as far as sharing photos of themselves with Mangione. One woman excitedly posted about sending him pictures from her birthday, describing the act of mailing the letter as “cathartic and sexy.”
Social Media Frenzy and Outlandish Displays
The obsession with Mangione extended beyond written correspondence. Social media users celebrated him with hashtags, tributes, and even tattoos of the hooded gunman. One TikToker filmed himself performing a dance routine to Charli XCX’s song “Apple” outside the Pennsylvania jail where Mangione was being held. The video garnered over 1.8 million views, with the user returning for a second day of dancing in front of the prison.
Letters and Lessons from a Fellow Inmate
Among Mangione’s correspondents was Lindsy Floyd, a prison reform advocate and former inmate who spent 26 months behind bars for negligent homicide. Floyd penned advice-filled letters to Mangione, offering insights into surviving life in prison. In a TikTok video, she recited part of her message: “I have seen what you’ve shared, and I acknowledge your suffering. I understand. I see you.”
Floyd pledged to continue writing to Mangione monthly throughout his legal battles, stating, “He deserves dignity and humanity.”
A Growing Cult Following
The fascination with Mangione reflects a broader trend of glorifying alleged criminals, with his supporters flocking to social media to declare loyalty. From love letters to dance routines outside his jail, the frenzy surrounding Mangione has only grown, making his case not just a legal drama but a cultural phenomenon.
