Was This Personal or Professional: (UHC CEO murder)

[alexikeguchi]

Folks, this was a Law & Order episode at least a decade ago (minus the message on the bullet casings).

As well as a feature film, John Q, starring Denzel Washington.

My guess is as bad as this company was, the murder had nothing to do with that.

The killer wants everyone to think it’s because of the company’s business decisions as that would be a huge needle and haystack investigation.

I'm going with hitman hired by the wife. She is the one making the vague report of "threats" he had received, and it's hard for me to imagine that a disgruntled patient or dismissed employee would have known the minute details of Thompson's schedule for this investor meeting. Carving the words "delay" and "deny" into the bullet casings also seems like an attempt to deflect suspicion elsewhere.

 

[once_upon]

As well as a feature film, John Q, starring Denzel Washington.

I'm going with hitman hired by the wife. She is the one making the vague report of "threats" he had received, and it's hard for me to imagine that a disgruntled patient or dismissed employee would have known the minute details of Thompson's schedule for this investor meeting. Carving the words "delay" and "deny" into the bullet casings also seems like an attempt to deflect suspicion elsewhere.

I just saw a clip of her saying the vague threats statement, it looked weird.

 

[BittyBug]

I'm going with hitman hired by the wife.

(I know the spouse is almost always a person of interest but this didn't even cross my mind.)

 

[skategal]

CNN is now reporting that he was estranged from his wife and they lived in two separate houses while sharing two kids.

 

[Barbara Manatee]

When the number of claims exceed what they can payout, the insurer denies coverage

When the number of claims exceed what they can payout the company wants to increase profits and insure big bonuses for its executives, the insurer denies coverage

 

[MacMadame]

My guess is as bad as this company was, the murder had nothing to do with that.

My guess is that this post will age poorly.

I'm going with hitman hired by the wife. She is the one making the vague report of "threats" he had received, and it's hard for me to imagine that a disgruntled patient or dismissed employee would have known the minute details of Thompson's schedule for this investor meeting. Carving the words "delay" and "deny" into the bullet casings also seems like an attempt to deflect suspicion elsewhere.

As will this one.

I just saw a clip of her saying the vague threats statement, it looked weird.

The father of her children just died! JFC.

 

[sk9tingfan]

Update: The suspect originated travel in Atlanta on a bus and used a fake NJ driver's license:

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

The gun might have been sold in CT.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

- Might have been an insider job.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

 

[Judy]

CNN is now reporting that he was estranged from his wife and they lived in two separate houses while sharing two kids.

For years though they lived in two separate addresses. I saw that earlier this morning.

 

[Vagabond]

I hope there is a public trial and the defense is allowed to detail the callous behavior of this company.

You are blaming the victim. To allow such evidence would be to permit murder in cold blood.

 

[Vagabond]

What a shocking and sick defense of presumed vigilante justice.

Replace healthcare exec with abortion doctor and see how it sounds. By all means let’s change business models of things we don’t like by making their CEOs fear for their lives

Or replace murder victim with rape victim.

That said, you are the one who posted that Paul and Nancy Pelosi "got what they deserved" when he was attacked by a man with a hammer, so you should take a long, hard look at your own attitude.

 

[Rob]

(I know the spouse is almost always a person of interest but this didn't even cross my mind.)

It’s didn’t until I learned they’d been living separately. Along with the fact that he apparently knew which door Johnson would use, probably knew he was in the hotel across the street and would walk across. And the photo of him on the phone before the shooting in the alley near the hotel. It doesn’t scream professional assassin (who likely wouldnt have stopped at Starbucks or used a bike) but it seems he had some source of information. Maybe he was a disgruntled employee or hired by one?

I read that they know he was on the bus to NYC in Washington, DC, but they aren’t sure if he got on in Atlanta or somewhere between Atlanta and DC.

 

[Jenny]

It’s didn’t until I learned they’d been living separately. Along with the fact that he apparently knew which door Johnson would use, probably knew he was in the hotel across the street and would walk across. And the photo of him on the phone before the shooting in the alley near the hotel. It doesn’t scream professional assassin (who likely wouldnt have stopped at Starbucks or used a bike) but it seems he had some source of information. Maybe he was a disgruntled employee or hired by one?

I read that they know he was on the bus to NYC in Washington, DC, but they aren’t sure if he got on in Atlanta or somewhere between Atlanta and DC.

At that hour, I imagine most people would use the main door of a hotel to enter, especially when they aren't actually staying there.

And maybe it doesn't scream professional, but it doesn't scream amateur either, to me. Stopping for snacks suggests that he was ready to wait awhile, because the victim was apparently there hours before he was due to speak - so that would imply that the shooter had either been well-briefed on his habits or that he had some help - perhaps from someone at or near the other hotel who let him know when Thompson was on the move so he could get into position.

The bike is also a pro move, IMO, because having spent 10 days in the city, he'd have to know that being stuck in a car in traffic or confined to a subway is not the best escape, and one can only move so fast on foot.

The police have apparently assembled more than 200 images of him around the city, and yet given that it's been 2.5 days now, there's every chance he's long gone by now.

 

[Jenny]

More updates coming in - police said they tracked him to bus terminal at the northern end of Manhattan the day of the crime but haven't figured out yet which bus he got on. Sounds like they are hoping that he's left some DNA behind, or that someone's going to recognize him. Can't imagine the number of tips they must be sifting through right now.

 

[once_upon]

At that hour, I imagine most people would use the main door of a hotel to enter, especially when they aren't actually staying there.

And maybe it doesn't scream professional, but it doesn't scream amateur either, to me. Stopping for snacks suggests that he was ready to wait awhile, because the victim was apparently there hours before he was due to speak - so that would imply that the shooter had either been well-briefed on his habits or that he had some help - perhaps from someone at or near the other hotel who let him know when Thompson was on the move so he could get into position.

The bike is also a pro move, IMO, because having spent 10 days in the city, he'd have to know that being stuck in a car in traffic or confined to a subway is not the best escape, and one can only move so fast on foot.

The police have apparently assembled more than 200 images of him around the city, and yet given that it's been 2.5 days now, there's every chance he's long gone by now.

I do think it is very unusual given the amount of evidence they've accumulated there hasn't been more action. One of the earlier pictures seemed to be very different from others

 

[AnnM]

You are blaming the victim. To allow such evidence would be to permit murder in cold blood.

Such evidence could potentially be used by the defense to show the shooter's state of mind, which can affect the type or degree of homicide that may be found, or used in a not guilty by reason of insanity defense. I'm not saying these defense strategies are good or would have the desired defense outcome, but there may be some business related facts that might actually be relevant to a defense. We just don't know enough yet, including whether this was even in response to business decision.

 

[Vagabond]

Such evidence could potentially be used by the defense to show the shooter's state of mind, which can affect the type or degree of homicide that may be found, or used in a not guilty by reason of insanity defense.

The shooter's state of mind cannot be shown shown by direct evidence of United Healthcare's policies and procedures. It can be shown by evidence of what he knew or believed, but this is not what Barbara Manatee was suggesting.

 

[once_upon]

ETA: The victim was taken to Mt. Sinai's network, which was removed as a network hospital by UHC just last year. Good thing that medical staff are not vindictive.

The regular clinical staff probably have very little information on who has a contract and who does not.

Billing, financial services, higher ups, people like @Aceon6 who have to conform processes for billing. Pre-authorization staff probably know b But the staff in the ED and clinical areas probably do not unless it impacts their own healthcare insurance.

It is unlikely when a squad shows up with a critical gun shot wound, they know much about the victim

 

[Aceon6]

It is unlikely when a squad shows up with a critical gun shot wound, they know much about the victim

And if NY is anything like Massachusetts, anyone transported by emergency ambulance is entitled to full care. If it turns out later that they’re not covered or out of network, the state’s uncompensated care funds can kick in.

 

[Private Citizen]

That said, you are the one who posted that Paul and Nancy Pelosi "got what they deserved" when he was attacked by a man with a hammer, so you should take a long, hard look at your own attitude.

FWIW: I did not post under any username that the Pelosis “got what they deserved.” Left-wing posters here frequently repeat this, but it’s not true (and can be verified with search history).

I did post that Nancy Pelosi may want to rethink her policies. I did post that Pelosi is responsible for creating an "anything goes" environment where mentally unstable illegal immigrants can easily harm people. I did oppose more taxpayer-funded security for the Pelosis. But I never said they got what they deserved or that the violence against Paul Pelosi was acceptable.

Anyway, this isn't PI, so I'll leave it there.

 

[Cachoo]

The whole thing feels a tad off to me. If you saw the company photo it was clear this man was one cog in a very big wheel. He was important but not supreme. It would be like trying to kill one of King Author's minor knights to make a point. Why not kill Arthur or Lancelot? It wouldn't surprise me if this hit had nothing to do with the industry.

And if it did? They are operating legally. And that is despicable but our problem should be with the laws that allow insurance companies to operate the way they do. So shoot Congress (JUST KIDDING.)

 

[CantALoop]

Health insurers remove executive bios, images from websites

Gee why would they do that? Aren't they proud of all they've accomplished and done for the healthcare of their subscribers?

 

[sk9tingfan]

Health insurers remove executive bios, images from websites

Gee why would they do that? Aren't they proud of all they've accomplished and done for the healthcare of their subscribers?

I hope you're being facetious...

 

[Vagabond]

FWIW: I did not post under any username that the Pelosis “got what they deserved.” Left-wing posters here frequently repeat this, but it’s not true (and can be verified with search history).

I did post that Nancy Pelosi may want to rethink her policies. I did post that Pelosi is responsible for creating an "anything goes" environment where mentally unstable illegal immigrants can easily harm people. I did oppose more taxpayer-funded security for the Pelosis. But I never said they got what they deserved or that the violence against Paul Pelosi was acceptable.

https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/threads/presidential-politics-2024.109767/post-6597270

Pelosi supported -- and AFAIK still supports -- policies that mollycoddle people like her husband's attacker. They got what they deserved, if you ask me.

 

[sk9tingfan]

The NYPD has found the suspect's backpack in Central Park...near the merry-go-round:

Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yasharali.bsky.social)

BREAKING The NYPD has found the backpack that the suspect in the murder of UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson dropped in Central Park while fleeing the scene of the crime. (Reported live on CNN)

bsky.app

 

[Rob]

At that hour, I imagine most people would use the main door of a hotel to enter, especially when they aren't actually staying there.

And maybe it doesn't scream professional, but it doesn't scream amateur either, to me. Stopping for snacks suggests that he was ready to wait awhile, because the victim was apparently there hours before he was due to speak - so that would imply that the shooter had either been well-briefed on his habits or that he had some help…

Definitely well planned, but the main door is down closer to 6th avenue I believe (or it was when I lived on 54th) so he’d have to know where he was coming from to have killed him further down 54th toward 7th Ave. like the incident maps show. Maybe Luxury Collection across 54th was a lucky guess, but if Thompson had been at a Sheraton or Omni or the Ritz Carlton, he’d have been approaching from another street. I agree it seems the killer had some help or worked there himself.

Also interesting that Thompson was alone. For our annual meetings, when they were off campus, the CEO arrived in an armored car with security detail, but our CEO is the leader of the whole company. The heads of our business divisions are Executive Vice Presidents, not CEOs, and don’t have that kind of security unless they have been threatened. But they generally would arrive with a couple of their direct reports or with other EVPs. Security is why we have had them on our own campus for years and investors go through security more than once to enter. And the EVPs don’t miss the CEOs opening speech - this is likely why Thompson was so early for his own speech. Handshakes, breakfast and all.

I also feel like a true pro would not have been kicking around for a whole 10 days leaving DNA, surveillance video, or clues or staying at a hostel in a room with other people. The quick escape was nicely planned. They must have a lot of footage of him in those 10 days doing his surveillance of the area, what an investigation.

 

[rfisher]

It's pretty easy to disguise oneself so the pictures may not look like the real person at all. Anybody who has ever watched any crime show on TV knows about DNA evidence, and he'd have to be not just an amateur, but a stupid one to leave behind evidence unless it was specifically left as a red herring. But, then it takes weeks to get DNA results back unlike TV where they magically have them in 30 minutes or less. He or she (again disguises can be had) could be in another country by now.

 

[Private Citizen]

https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/threads/presidential-politics-2024.109767/post-6597270

I stand corrected. I did say "they got what they deserved" two years after the attack, and I should have done a more thorough search than just pulling up the original thread on the Pelosi attack. I should not have used this phrase, and I do not condone violence against Paul Pelosi or anyone (which I also said in the post two down from the one you linked).

Back on topic, The Free Press has a chilling article on the gleeful, dark coverage of Brian Thompson's assassination:

The Extremely Gleeful, Extremely Dark Reaction to a CEO’s Killing

This is real life. Not ‘John Wick.’

www.thefp.com

Those who preach empathy certainly seem to preach it selectively.

 

[Coco]

As well as a feature film, John Q, starring Denzel Washington.

I'm going with hitman hired by the wife. She is the one making the vague report of "threats" he had received, and it's hard for me to imagine that a disgruntled patient or dismissed employee would have known the minute details of Thompson's schedule for this investor meeting. Carving the words "delay" and "deny" into the bullet casings also seems like an attempt to deflect suspicion elsewhere.

This is a really interesting theory and I think you are correct. The carving the words into bullets is a bit OTT. I don't think it's something a grief stricken person would do. But if the shooter is an employee who can't live with themselves, I could see them doing that, I suppose.

 

[Prancer]

Those who preach empathy certainly seem to preach it selectively.

Well, people do tend to be quite selective in their preaching, no?

 

[MacMadame]

Those who preach empathy certainly seem to preach it selectively.

It's because we preach empathy for the downtrodden and otherwise oppressed. A CEO of a major healthcare company doesn't fit either of those categories.

Not that I've been one of those hitting the laugh emoji or posting memes. That seems a bit much to me. And I do feel sorry for the people who are mourning him.

But I also completely understand how this could happen and I do feel empathy for anyone who has lost a loved one or suffered personally due to an insurance company denying coverage. At least with politicians (like Nancy Pelosi, Gabby Gifford, Ronald Reagan, etc), you can vote them out if you don't like the way they do their job. You can't do that with CEOs.