Fingerprints, a flirting moment, mysterious phone calls and a swift escape – this is the timeline of the killer

The manhunt for the killer of insurance executive Brian Thompson (†50) is heating up in New York, now in its third day.

Despite mounting evidence, NYPD investigators have yet to achieve a breakthrough. The latest dramatic development though: The cops are now pretty sure that the person of interest has left New York.

The assassin, who gunned down the CEO of UnitedHealthcare in a cold-blooded, mob-style hit outside the Hilton Hotel in Manhattan early Wednesday, seems to have vanished without a trace.

But the killer may have made one critical mistake: When he checked back into the “Hi NYC Hostel” on the Upper West Side on November 30, he reportedly flirted with a receptionist. According to media reports, she asked him to lower his face mask—leading to a moment that could unravel everything. A security photo captured his full face, smiling almost charmingly, now branded as the “smiling killer.”

Witnesses Recall the Mysterious Guest

Hostel resident Scion K. told BILD: “It’s eerie, but I can imagine he got a bit chatty with one of the receptionists.” He also recalls police combing the hostel for evidence. Staff, however, have remained tight-lipped.

Meanwhile, police are piecing together the suspect’s activities before and after the fatal shooting near Times Square. Some evidence has emerged, but critical questions linger.

Timeline of the Suspect’s Moves

• November 24: The suspect arrives in New York after a grueling 16-hour Greyhound bus ride from Atlanta, Georgia.
• First Hostel Stay: He spends five days at the hostel, checks out for one day, then returns on November 30, sharing a room with strangers. He used a fake New Jersey ID during registration.
• An Hour Before the Murder: Surveillance footage captures him at a Subway station on West 55th Street, purchasing a water bottle and energy bars at Starbucks shortly after.
• Moments Before the Shooting: The suspect is seen making a phone call. Investigators suspect he may have been contacting an accomplice or handler. He’s also spotted tossing an unknown object into a trash can, which police hope will yield DNA clues.
• Evidence Found: Near the crime scene, police recovered a phone and a water bottle. However, fingerprints appear to have been deliberately smudged. The phone is undergoing forensic analysis.
• Escape Route: After the murder, the killer fled on foot before using a bicycle to speed through Central Park. His last sighting was near the hostel, but his gray backpack had vanished, leaving investigators stumped.

A Possible Inside Job?

Authorities are now turning their attention to Thompson’s life in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Former FBI agent Scott Duffy speculated on Fox News that this could be an inside job. The killer seemed to know precisely when and where to strike—information that wasn’t publicly available. Thompson was on his way to a conference at the Hilton, but the event was never advertised.

The Central Question

How did the killer know Thompson’s exact location? As investigators race against time, the mystery grows deeper.

This crime thriller is far from over, with every new detail adding to the intrigue.