Police close in on suspect in UnitedHealthcare CEO’s brazen midtown murder as divers are searching Central Park ponds

Authorities are tightening the net around the suspected assassin who gunned down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in a daring daylight attack.

On Saturday, police divers combed Central Park’s waters near the Boathouse, searching for the murder weapon, while investigators recovered the killer’s jacket and high-end apparel from a discarded backpack. Surveillance footage shows the suspect fleeing the scene on an electric bike, riding up Sixth Avenue before disappearing into Central Park.

Mayor Adams: “The Net Is Tightening”

As the manhunt entered its fourth day, Mayor Eric Adams expressed confidence in an imminent arrest. “The net is tightening,” he told reporters at a Harlem event, commending the collaborative efforts of tri-state law enforcement agencies.

When asked if investigators had identified the suspect, Adams withheld details, explaining, “We don’t want to give the person an upper hand. Let him continue to believe he can hide behind the mask. We’ve revealed his face, and we’re going to reveal who he is and bring him to justice.”

A Methodical Attack

Thompson, 50, was ambushed Wednesday outside the Hilton hotel on Sixth Avenue as he approached an investor event without a security detail. The gunman, using a silencer, fired multiple shots, striking Thompson in the back and leg before fleeing on foot and then by bike.

Bullets found at the scene were inscribed with cryptic messages, including “deny,” “defend,” and “depose,” raising questions about the motive. Thompson had reportedly received threats before his death, and he was among UnitedHealthcare executives under investigation by the Department of Justice.

Surveillance and Leads

Police have released images of the suspect, including footage of him at an Upper West Side hostel shortly after the killing, flashing a chilling smile at a clerk. The backpack he discarded in Central Park contained items now considered crucial evidence.

Investigators are working through hundreds of tips and piecing together the suspect’s trail using surveillance footage and recovered items. The motive remains unclear, but police are investigating whether the attack was linked to professional grievances or other disputes.

Community and Family Reactions

Thompson’s wife, Paulette, confirmed her husband had been receiving threats, adding another layer of urgency to the investigation. Meanwhile, Adams assured the public that law enforcement is working tirelessly to apprehend the suspect.

“Some of these investigators haven’t gone home,” the mayor said. “We’re committed to removing this person from the streets of New York and America.”

The chilling, targeted nature of Thompson’s assassination has sent shockwaves through the city, leaving residents and the business community anxious for justice.