In a shocking incident that has gripped New York City, authorities are widening the net in their hunt for a perpetrator who assassinated the head boss of the largest health insurance organization in the country. Brian Thompson, aged 50, was the leading figure of UnitedHealthcare and met his tragic end outside of a hotel located in Manhattan on a Wednesday morning.
UnitedHealthcare is the country’s leading health insurance behemoth, positioned as the fourth largest public company in the United States. Tragically, Thompson was the unexpected victim of a potential highly-skilled assassin, as he made his way into his hotel, coinciding with an investment-related conference organized by his company.
Disturbingly, the assailant appears to have been both skilled and prepared, according to initial analyses by experts. Forensic professionals came across bullet casings at the scene that tied into an intriguing detail. Inscribed on these casings were the words ‘defend’, ‘deny’, and ‘depose’. These words closely mirror the title of a published work that presents a critical perspective of the health insurance industry.
The unfortunate event unfolded at dawn, around 6.45am. Thompson was in the city to partake in UnitedHealthcare’s yearly investor meeting, which was slated to commence at 8 am. On his way to the meet, security footage unveils a harrowing scene of a gunman emerging from two parked vehicles, situated behind Thompson.
The unidentified individual drew his firearm, delivering at least three shots from a near distance, roughly 15 feet, on the sidewalk. Devastatingly, Thompson was hit in the back and his calf and subsequently collapsed on the sidewalk. The firearm, thought to be equipped with a 9mm suppressor, experienced a malfunction, which the shooter swiftly rectified before discharging it once more.
Witnesses were present during the attack. Regardless, the gunman did not approach or engage with any bystanders. Instead, he crossed to the other side of the street, vanished down an alleyway. From the security camera, he is seen on an electric bike, on which he fled the location, last sighted in Central Park surroundings.
First responders reached the crime setting, situated near the notable Rockefeller Center. Hours later, this venue would host the renowned annual Christmas lights ceremony. Despite the shocking events of the morning, the investment meeting of UnitedHealthcare proceeded as scheduled on the day.
Tracing Thompson’s professional journey reveals a successful career in the healthcare sector. He transitioned to UnitedHealthcare in 2004 from an accounting firm and rose to the helm as CEO in April of 2021. Prior to this, Thompson led as CEO for the organization’s governmental program initiatives. Becoming CEO was a pinnacle accomplishment during his robust tenure at the company.
With a solid reputation as the premier provider of Medicare Advantage plans in the U.S, UnitedHealthcare also manages insurance for various employers and state as well as federally-funded programs. It is positioned in the marketplace as the fourth largest public company, right behind retail giant Walmart, e-commerce powerhouse Amazon, and technology leader Apple.
Residing in a suburb of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Thompson was located conveniently close to the company’s main office, at around a 20-minute drive. Educational credentials included studies at the University of Iowa. On a personal note, Thompson was a family man, married and father to two children.
Senior police officials are painting a chilling picture of the situation. They categorize the act as neither random nor accidental, but rather as a prearranged attack. The assassin is believed to have patiently waited for Thompson to approach the hotel before executing his cruel intent.
The law enforcement head of New York outlined it as a situation of the murderer having ‘lay in wait for several minutes’ for his target. The emergency phone operator, during a distress call, received details of an individual approximated at 5ft 10in, clothed in black, his visage concealed by a mask, and carrying a noticeable grey backpack.
Investigation teams discovered bullet casings near the hotel, inscribed peculiarly with the words ‘defend’, ‘deny’, and ‘depose’. As law enforcement noted, these words could be linked to a controversial book. Titled ‘Delay, Deny, Defend’, this publication discloses how insurance companies don’t meet their commitment to claim payments, offering readers advice on available resources.
Forensic experts have meticulously examined Thompson’s hotel accommodation, carrying out extensive interviews with his colleagues and reviewing his digital footprint for any potential leads. A couple of probable scenarios coming into focus include business-related criminal activity and potential illegal insider trading.
Thus far, the police have not established or proposed any concrete motive of the shooter involved in the case. As part of their ongoing investigations, they have issued a $10,000 (approximately £7,860) bounty as a reward offered to any individual who provides actionable knowledge that supports the case.