In what could be a stunning indication of how much Americans dislike their health insurance system, Luigi Mangione, the man charged with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is set to receive more than $300,000 in donations collected by supporters for his legal defence. His legal team has confirmed that it will accept the funds raised via the GiveSendGo platform.
According to the fundraising page, over 10,000 contributors have donated an average of $30 each. In a statement attributed to his attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, the campaign acknowledged the financial support, stating Mangione “very much appreciates the outpouring of support.”
Authorities allege that on the morning of December 4, Mangione, 26, fatally shot Thompson, 50, near the New York Hilton Midtown as the executive was en route to an investor conference. Surveillance footage reportedly captured the incident.
A manhunt spanning five days ended with Mangione’s arrest in Pennsylvania, where he was found at a McDonald’s carrying a firearm allegedly linked to the killing. Officials also reported that he had fake identification and a notebook criticising the U.S. private health insurance system and its executives.
Federal prosecutors have charged Mangione with interstate stalking and using a firearm to commit murder, while New York state prosecutors have filed charges of murder and terrorism against him. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg defended the terrorism charge, describing the killing as a "frightening, well-planned, targeted murder that was intended to cause shock and attention and intimidation."
A group calling itself the December 4th Legal Committee spearheaded the fundraising effort. While the group insists it does not condone violence, its GiveSendGo page states, "We believe in the constitutional right of fair legal representation."
Mangione's lawyer indicated that the funds would be utilised to support his defense. Speaking to ABC News, Friedman Agnifilo stated that her client "plans on utilising [the money] to fight all ... of the unprecedented cases against him."
The case has sparked debate across the country. A University of Chicago survey found that many Americans believe the health insurance industry, with its history of denying coverage, played a role in the incident. However, the survey also reported that 80% of respondents held Mangione directly responsible for the murder.
Despite this, some donors on GiveSendGo expressed unwavering support for the accused. According to The Guardian, one contributor posted, "Let’s defend the [right] for self-defense," while another commented, "Free the guy, his work here isn’t done (he’s innocent)!"
Mangione, an Ivy League graduate from Maryland, reportedly withdrew from family and friends in the months leading up to the attack, frequently posting online about his struggles with back pain. However, UnitedHealthcare confirmed that he had never been a customer of the company.
Thompson, a married father of two, had spent 20 years with UnitedHealth Group, assuming leadership of its insurance division in 2021. His murder has intensified scrutiny of the healthcare industry, with some seeing the attack as a grim reflection of mounting frustrations over corporate control of healthcare access.
Mangione faces the possibility of the death penalty in federal court, while his state charges could result in life imprisonment. He has pleaded not guilty. His extradition process is ongoing, and his legal team continues to prepare for what is expected to be a highly scrutinised trial.
