Luigi Mangione, the Baltimore native charged with murdering UnitedHealthcare’s CEO on the streets of New York City, thanked his supporters in an open letter shared on a new website dedicated to his legal defense.
The note appears to be Mr. Mangione’s first public comments since he yelled to reporters outside a Pennsylvania courthouse in December, a day after he was arrested in the slaying of UHC’s Brian Thompson.
He’s currently behind bars in a Brooklyn federal prison, but has developed a cult-like following from people who are aggrieved by the health care system. Mr. Mangione’s legal team said they created the website — luigimangioneinfo.com — to share case updates, “dispel information” and publish letters from Mr. Mangione while he’s at the Metropolitan Detention Center.
“I am overwhelmed by — and grateful for — everyone who has written me to share their stories and express their support,” reads the note from Mr. Mangione. “Powerfully, this support has transcended political, racial, and even class divisions, as mail has flooded MDC from across the country, and around the globe. While it is impossible for me to reply to most letters, please know that I read every one that I receive. Thank you again to everyone who took the time to write. I look forward to hearing more in the future.”
Police have linked Mr. Mangione to the Dec. 4 killing in midtown Manhattan.
Police said the suspect had the murder weapon, a fake ID he used to check into a hostel in New York City and a manifesto calling healthcare companies “parasites” when he was arrested days later at a McDonald’s in central Pennsylvania.
Investigators said they later matched his DNA with samples taken at the scene where Thompson, 50, was gunned down.
But the facts of the case have not deterred supporters of Mr. Mangione.
An online fundraiser dedicated to his legal defense has raised more than $450,000 in the roughly two months since it started. The fundraiser had just under $300,000 in donations last week.
Mr. Mangione has also become a heartthrob among some admirers, with a bar in the District hosting a Valentine’s Day-themed “love letter” event for the accused killer this past week.
Officials have shown no soft spot for the murder suspect.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, said after Mr. Mangione’s arrest that “in some dark corners, this killer is being hailed as a hero. Hear me on this: He is no hero.”
Mr. Mangione, an Ivy League graduate who comes from a prominent Baltimore family, has pleaded not guilty to murder, weapon and forgery charges in the case.
Police said neither Mr. Mangione nor his family were insured by UnitedHealthcare.
Thompson left behind a wife and two children when he was killed.
• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.