The infamous CEO killer, Luigi Mangione, who is behind bars for fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare boss Brian Thompson, led a somewhat adventurous and eventful life before becoming the figure he is today. For anti-capitalists, he is seen as a hero and messiah, but for Republicans, he is just another cold-blooded murderer.Before facing state and federal murder charges, Mangione led a life marked by academic achievement, global travel, and intellectual curiosity.Mangione, who has been sitting in a New York jail for months, has pleaded not guilty.
The origins
The 27-year-old was born and raised in a Baltimore suburb. Mangione belonged to a prominent local family involved in businesses, including country clubs and a chain of nursing homes. He attended the elite all-boys Gilman School, graduating as valedictorian in 2016, before enrolling at the University of Pennsylvania. There, he earned both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in computer engineering. Peers described him as intelligent, thoughtful, and considerate. He struggled with brain fog and chronic back pain, which worsened after a surfing accident.In July 2023, Mangione underwent surgery for his spinal condition, which he later described as an unexpected success. The operation cleared the way for his backpacking trip across Asia in early 2024.
The 6-day isolation period in Japan
On May 6, 2024, Mangione turned 26. He arrived in the small village of Tenkawa, Japan, the gateway to Mount Omine, a sacred mountain that has been a spiritual site for over a thousand years. Devotees of Shugendo, a fusion of Buddhism and mountain worship, climb the treacherous ridges seeking spiritual enlightenment. Mangione checked into a small guesthouse in Tenkawa and spent six days. The inn only had four rooms and was nearly empty. The guesthouse owner, Juntaro Mihara, said Mangione left his room spotless and took out his own trash and also described him as “quiet.”During this time, Mangione seemed to withdraw from socialising and casual friendships, focusing instead on thinking and planning. His writings and conversations with others show he was interested in issues like corporate greed, the impact of social media, and problems such as declining birth rates. He became especially concerned about the American health care system.
Trip to India
After Japan, Mangione travelled to Mumbai, India, in May 2024 and met writer Jash Dholani. Dholani is known for summarising classical texts and had posted 14 insights on Ted Kaczynski, America’s notorious domestic terrorist, on social media. During this time, Mangione’s interest in Kaczynski, whom he called a “philosopher terrorist,” seemed to grow. He wrote about Kaczynski’s predictions on modern society and technology. Mangione claimed that Kaczynski was “rightfully imprisoned” for violent acts but his observations on societal problems were important.Following his return to US in July 2024, Mangione settled temporarily in San Francisco. He stopped posting on his known social media accounts and ceased responding to messages from family and friends. His mother later filed a missing person report after losing contact with him in November.
‘Checking every box’ in murder
Court documents show that Mangione carefully planned an action against the health care system. In an August 2024 journal entry, he wrote: “I finally feel confident about what I will do. The details are finally coming together. And I don’t feel any doubt about whether it’s right/justified. I’m glad — in a way — that I’ve procrastinated, bc it allowed me to learn more about UHC.” He also wrote, “The target is insurance. It checks every box.”In another entry filed in court on Wednesday, Mangione discussed Kaczynski and the challenges of revolutionary acts. “He crosses the line from revolutionary anarchist to terrorist — the worst thing a person can be,” he wrote. He reflected on how violent actions often overshadow the intended message, making it difficult for the public to understand the point of the act.
The final use of engraved bullets
On December 4, 2024, prosecutors said Mangione carried out the killing with careful planning. He travelled to New York City, arrived outside a Hilton Hotel hosting a UnitedHealthcare investor conference, and, masked, shot Thompson on the sidewalk with a 3D-printed 9 mm pistol fitted with a silencer. Words like “delay,” “depose,” and “den” were found on the spent shell casings.Five days later, Mangione was arrested at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, while eating a hash brown and browsing his laptop. Authorities found a manifesto decrying for-profit health care and a journal detailing the assassination plans.
