Listen To Story Above
A team of forensic psychology experts has suggested that deep-rooted personal resentment likely drove the killer who fatally shot UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, according to Newsweek’s Saturday report.
The deadly incident occurred Wednesday morning around 7 a.m. outside New York’s Hilton Midtown hotel. According to New York Police Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny, Thompson sustained gunshot wounds to his right calf and back, succumbing to his injuries within half an hour in what police describe as a calculated assassination.
I am in no way justifying the murder of Brian Thompson, but this screams motive – his company (UHC, or UnitedHealthcare) was far more likely to deny claims than other insurers pic.twitter.com/1b7vRIox2l
— Alex Berenson (@AlexBerenson) December 5, 2024
The investigation has revealed that after the shooting, the still-unidentified suspect reportedly departed Manhattan via taxi to the Port Authority facility on 178th Street before boarding a bus leaving the city. Investigators discovered shell casings at the scene inscribed with “delay, deny, defend” – a phrase commonly used to criticize insurance companies’ claims handling practices and the title of Jay Feinman’s 2010 critical examination of the insurance industry.
Jennifer Coffindaffer, who previously served with the FBI, told Newsweek that the attack showed careful planning. She noted that the engraved shells suggested a casual attitude, leading her to conclude that “this is very personal anger over a loss of a loved one, perhaps due to an insurance denial.”
Coffindaffer pointed to the suspect’s apparent carelessness, citing his hostel stay, dropped phone, and poor shooting accuracy. However, she acknowledged that “he was successful in his mission, after all. Mr. Thompson is deceased.”
Murdered health insurance boss Brian Thompson backed 'malicious' AI that denied 90% of patient coverage
via https://t.co/ysrb6xm5eB https://t.co/Rr5g8vMJz2— LaylaTexas77🌹 (@LaylaTexas77) December 7, 2024
Former forensic psychiatrist Carole Liberman shared with Newsweek that the evidence suggests the perpetrator could be “a disgruntled loved one of a patient who died because they were denied coverage by United Healthcare.” She explained that the shell casings were meant to convey a message, referring “to what insurance companies do to save money instead of saving lives. A loved one would want to be sure this message got out.”
Lieberman further suggested the possibility that a bereaved family who experienced coverage denial might have hired the shooter, incorporating the shell casing message as part of the arrangement.
