Who Was Brian Thompson?

It has been one year since Brian Thompson, chief executive of UnitedHealthcare, was fatally shot outside the New York Hilton Midtown on Dec. 4, 2024. Thompson was arriving early for an investors' conference when a masked assailant opened fire. He was transported to a nearby hospital and later pronounced dead.

Shooting and Investigation

According to law enforcement, the attack appeared targeted. Witnesses and police say the shooter was waiting near the hotel entrance and fired from only a few feet away before fleeing on a bicycle toward Central Park. Detectives reportedly found shell casings at the scene marked with the words deny, defend and depose. A motive has not been publicly confirmed.

On Dec. 9, 2024, police arrested Luigi Mangione and charged him with second-degree murder in Manhattan. Mangione also faces multiple charges in Pennsylvania and is being held without bail at the State Correctional Institution in Huntingdon, Pa. Nearly a year after the killing, Mangione appeared in New York for a pretrial hearing on Dec. 1 to determine what evidence will be admitted at trial.

Career and Background

Thompson, a native of Iowa, graduated from the University of Iowa in 1997 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and accounting; he was named valedictorian and earned several academic honors. He worked more than six years at PwC before joining UnitedHealth Group in 2004. Thompson rose through the company and was appointed CEO of UnitedHealthcare in April 2021. UnitedHealthcare is a primary business unit of UnitedHealth Group, one of the largest insurers in the U.S.

Legal and Corporate Aftermath

In May 2024, the Hollywood Firefighters' Pension Fund filed a civil lawsuit alleging that UnitedHealth and certain executives concealed a Department of Justice antitrust inquiry and engaged in fraud and illegal insider trading. The filing alleged that Thompson was aware of the probe and sold a portion of his holdings before a subsequent drop in the companys stock price; these are allegations currently pursued in civil court.

Family, Community, and Tributes

Thompson is survived by his wife, Paulette Thompson, and their two sons. The family lived in Maple Grove, Minnesota, a short drive from UnitedHealthcare's headquarters in Minnetonka. Following his death, Paulette described her husband as loving and generous, and public officials, colleagues and friends offered condolences. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called the loss a terrible one for the state's business and health care communities.

Brian Thompson was remembered by colleagues as a skilled, approachable leader who could explain complex issues clearly and who remained connected to people across the organization.

The investigation into the shooting and the separate civil litigation involving UnitedHealth continue to draw attention as Thompson's family, colleagues and the company reflect on his life and career.