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The murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Midtown Manhattan last week has captured national attention not only because of the brutal nature of the act, but also because of the bizarre clues left behind that have raised more questions than answers.
While many are shocked by the murder, in which the CEO of one of the largest healthcare providers in the US was shot by an unknown gunman early in the morning of December 4, even more are fascinated by the murder, which remains unsolved .
While the manhunt for the masked gunman continues, the focus has shifted to the evidence recovered from the scene and nearby locations.
Among the items left behind were shell casings with the words “deny,” “defend” and “deposit,” phrases associated with common health care practices.
Days later, a backpack believed to belong to the suspect was found filled with Monopoly money.
But many questions in the case still remain unanswered.
The identity of the killer has still not been revealed by investigators, nor is there a motive.
Although they claim to be hot on his trail, the NYPD is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to his arrest, while the FBI is offering even more for information.
Many other questions remain unanswered, five days after the fatal shooting.
DailyMail.com looks at some of the still unanswered questions five days after his cold-blooded murder
Why was Brian Thompson murdered?
Brian (pictured) did not have a security guard with him when he killed in downtown New York
Brian Thompson was murdered outside a Hilton hotel in downtown Manhattan at 6:44 a.m. on December 4 by an unknown assailant (photo)
This lack of information released to the public in this case has spawned numerous theories about the killer’s motive, ranging from the plausible to the insane.
One theory is that the shooter was a disgruntled individual who was furious with Thompson for his work at the top of one of the largest health care deniers in the US.
Insured Americans have long complained that UnitedHealthcare refused to cover their care, an analysis of ValuePenguin concluded that it denies 32 percent of claims – double the industry average for major health insurers.
As CEO of the healthcare company, Thompson was described by the CEO of the parent company that owns UnitedHealthcare, Andrew Witty, as a “critical” part of the healthcare industry.
The theory was reinforced by the fact that bullets and casings with the words “delay,” “deny,” “depose” were used, referencing a 2010 book by law professor Jay Feinman called “Delay, Deny, Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don’t Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It,” etched into it.
A related theory claims that the shooter did not receive coverage from UnitedHealthcare.
The brutal character of the crime and the cryptic clues left behind have attracted public attention and led to their retirement FBI officer Jennifer Coffindaffer concluded that this was much more than a random act of violence.
“This looks much bigger, like a vigilante group,” Coffindaffer said The everyday beast. “Someone well prepared to make a big statement and blame UnitedHealthcare.”
Among the evidence left at the scene were shell casings etched with the words “deny,” “defend” and “depose.”
Another theory for the motive stems from the fact that Thompson was investigated by the Justice Department for alleged insider trading.
According to a lawsuit filed in May, Thompson and three other UnitedHealth Group executives were accused of selling more than $120 million in stock during an antitrust investigation before disclosing it to investors.
News of an antitrust investigation, which centered on UnitedHealth’s desire to buy rivals, is said to have sent the stock price tumbling.
To date, New York City police have not released a motive.
Who is the killer?
The (photo) identity of the killer has not yet been publicly released
The identity of the killer has not yet been publicly released. On Saturday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams claimed at a news conference that it was in the NYPD’s best interest not to release a name.
He said without any explanation, “If you do that, you’re essentially giving a tip to the person we’re looking for, and we definitely don’t want to give him the upper hand. Let him continue to believe that he can hide behind the mask.’
Despite Adams’ bold words, the NYPD is still offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the shooter.
The FBI is offering an even bigger reward of $50,000 for information, and has now put him on its most wanted list.
The secret agency said it is “seek[ing]the public’s assistance in identifying the unknown suspect responsible” for Thompson’s fatal shooting.
Why didn’t Brian Thompson have security details despite threats?
Paulette Thompson (pictured) said her husband had received death threats in the lead-up to his murder
Thompson’s widow Paulette told NBC in an interview that her husband had received threats regarding medical coverage in the lead-up to his death.
‘There had been some threats. Basically, I don’t know, a lack of (medical coverage? I don’t know the details),” she said.
“All I know is that he said there were people threatening him.”
Despite these threats, Brian did not have a security guard with him when he was in central New York.
NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told reporters last week: “Talking to other associates who traveled with him to New York, it does not appear he had a security detail.
“He left the hotel alone, walked and didn’t seem to have any problems at all.”
According to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, this was Thompson’s fatal mistake.
“Many people passed by the suspect, but (the shooter) appeared to be waiting for his intended target.”
The move comes as a surprise in the context of increasing threats against business leaders, the said New York Times.
The newspaper reported that the average amount S&P 500 companies spent on security for top executives doubled between 2021 and 2023, amid a rise in online and in-person threats from disgruntled people.
Michael Julian, CEO of MPS Security & Protection, a company specializing in business protection, explains Axios: ‘I’m just shocked the guy didn’t have a protective detail.’
Who is the mysterious woman who fled the scene?
Footage of the attack shows a figure, who appears to be a woman, wearing dark clothing and holding a coffee cup, fleeing from a doorway as the killer opens fire just meters away.
While most people have focused on the shooting, online sleuths are baffled by the mysterious woman seen fleeing the scene of the attack.
Footage of the attack shows a figure, who appears to be a woman, wearing dark clothing and holding a coffee cup, fleeing from a doorway as the killer opens fire just meters away.
We don’t know who this person is yet, but there is no indication they were involved or knew Thompson.
Indeed, they appeared to be surprised by the shooting, huddled in a doorway when the first shot rang out, before running over.
The police will undoubtedly be desperate for this key witness.
Where is the killer and why does it take five days for the police to find him?
The killer was seen in a taxi after the shooting, wearing a mask
Minutes after attacking Thompson, the killer was seen entering Central Park on a bicycle near the entrance to 60th Street and Center Drive. It is in the park and away from security cameras that police believe he discards a gray backpack.
On December 4, just before 7 a.m., the killer left the park at West 77th Street and Central Park West, still riding his bicycle, before passing another camera at 85th Street and Columbus Avenue.
Just two minutes later he was seen on 86th Street, this time without a bicycle. There he gets into a taxi and sets off northbound at 86th Street and Amsterdam Avenue.
Half an hour later he is spotted at the bus station near the George Washington Bridge.
The travel hub offers train rides to New Jersey and Greyhound routes to Philadelphia, Boston and Washington.
From there, his route is unknown and police are still looking for him five days after the murder.