Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City in December 2024, has pleaded guilty to federal stalking charges in connection with the shooting.
Mangione, 28, entered the plea in a Manhattan federal court on Friday as members of Thompson’s family watched from the courtroom.
During his statement to the judge, Mangione disclosed for the first time that he had allegedly posed as a prospective investor managing more than $50 billion to obtain information about a UnitedHealthcare investors’ conference and determine Thompson’s whereabouts.
“My travel to New York and email to UnitedHealthcare was with the intent to shoot Brian Thompson,” Mangione said.
“On the morning of Dec. 4, 2024, I shot Mr. Thompson in Manhattan and he died.”
Mangione acknowledged that he understood the shooting would put Thompson “in fear of death or serious bodily injury” and admitted that he knew his actions were illegal.
He also told the court that his experience with the healthcare system, particularly following a back injury, contributed to his decision to target Thompson. Prosecutors, however, have previously said Mangione had no personal relationship with Thompson, UnitedHealthcare or its insurance services.
Mangione referred to the healthcare industry while describing his attempt to contact UnitedHealthcare under the guise of being an investor. He noted that the company responded quickly to his request.
“Unlike my previous interactions with insurers, I received an immediate response within an hour,” he said.
Following the guilty plea, Thompson’s family described the development as an important step towards accountability.
“While nothing will ease the pain of losing him, we are grateful that the federal justice system has held the person responsible for this heinous act accountable,” the family said.
“Now we look to the court to ensure that sentencing reflects the severity of this crime.”
Mangione faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Prosecutors initially indicated that federal sentencing guidelines could result in a term of between 24 and 30 years, but later confirmed that they intend to seek life imprisonment.
He is scheduled to be sentenced on December 18, although the final punishment will be determined by the judge.
The federal guilty plea is also expected to trigger a legal battle over separate murder charges Mangione faces in New York State Supreme Court. His defence team argues that continuing with the state case could violate double jeopardy protections because it relates to the same alleged conduct.
“We just filed our motion in state court explaining why the state charges must be dismissed under New York’s double jeopardy protections,” Mangione’s lawyer, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, said.
She also explained the motive presented by her client.
“As Luigi explained in court today, he endured years of severe debilitating pain following a broken back while struggling to navigate our healthcare and health insurance systems,” she said.
“He believed that the system had failed him and destroyed his life,” the lawyer added.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, however, said it remained prepared to pursue the state case.
“Since December 2024, the Manhattan D.A.’s Office has been tirelessly preparing to pursue a trial conviction in New York State Supreme Court for the alleged cold-blooded murder of Brian Thompson,” a spokesperson said.
“While federal sentencing is pending, we are prepared to litigate the defense motions. The Manhattan D.A.’s Office remains committed to seeking justice for Mr. Thompson and his family.”
Mangione pleaded guilty to two federal counts: interstate stalking resulting in death and stalking through the use of interstate facilities resulting in death. Both offences carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
The charges are separate from the state case, where Mangione faces allegations including second-degree murder and firearms offences.
Thompson’s relatives attended Friday’s hearing, with his mother, Pat Thompson, seated in the front row. The family has largely stayed out of the public spotlight since the executive was killed.
Mangione was arrested on December 9, 2024, five days after Thompson was shot, at a McDonald’s restaurant in Pennsylvania.
Authorities said a notebook recovered from Mangione contained writings expressing grievances against the health insurance industry. Investigators also found a bullet and two shell casings at the crime scene bearing the words “delay,” “deny,” and “depose.”
Mangione’s lawyers had previously challenged the use of the notebook as evidence, arguing that it was obtained through an unlawful search. Judges in both cases rejected the argument.
The killing of Thompson, a father of two who headed one of the largest health insurance companies in the United States, sparked widespread debate over the country’s healthcare system and public frustration over denied insurance claims.
