Rudolph Angler The search for the killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson entered its third day as authorities examined new leads. Thompson, who had been with the Minnesota-based insurer since 2004 and served as CEO for over three years, was fatally shot in New York City on Wednesday morning.
He was killed outside the Hilton Midtown hotel on his way to an annual company conference across the street. Paulette, Thompson’s wife, told NBC that her husband had received threats, but the motive for the killing remains unclear.
Police Identify Key Clues
Authorities released an image of a man labeled as a “person of interest.” The photo, taken at a Manhattan hostel, shows the man smiling after lowering his mask to speak with staff. Witnesses said he typically concealed his face and used a fake New Jersey ID when checking in.
Investigators believe the suspect arrived in New York last month on a Greyhound bus from Atlanta. He was last seen riding an electric bike into Central Park after the shooting. Police are analyzing a phone, water bottle, and protein bar wrapper recovered along the gunman’s escape route.
At the crime scene, authorities found ammunition marked with the words “deny,” “defend,” and “depose.” These terms echo phrases critical of the health insurance industry, known for resisting payouts on claims.
UnitedHealthcare, the nation’s largest Medicare Advantage provider, serves over 49 million Americans. Thompson’s death, a targeted attack, has raised questions about threats within the high-stakes world of healthcare leadership.