Luigi Mangione, indicted on federal charges including murder in the death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, was facing a life-altering health crisis before the tragic incident. Suffering from spondylolisthesis, a painful spinal condition, Mangione underwent surgery in 2023. His social media posts chronicled the intense pain and frustration, which may have been worsened by insurance hurdles in accessing adequate treatment, before the shocking event.
Mangione, 26, has been indicted in federal court on charges of murder, stalking, and firearms offenses. A federal grand jury in New York returned a four-count indictment against him on Thursday, charging him with two counts of stalking, a firearms offense, and murder through the use of a firearm. If convicted, he faces the death penalty. The indictment stems from the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO, Brian Thompson, on a Manhattan sidewalk on December 4, 2024.
Federal prosecutors unsealed the charges late last year, but the formal indictment has only just been issued. US Attorney General Pam Bondi has already signaled her intention to pursue the death penalty, with Mangione’s defense attorneys working to prevent that outcome.
Mangione has pleaded not guilty to state charges of murder and terrorism in connection with the killing.
Before the tragic events of December 4, 2024, Luigi Mangione was a very different person. Described as an Ivy League alumnus with an impressive resume, Mangione had a strong social media presence. But his life took a dark turn after a health crisis severely impacted his well-being.
Who is Luigi Mangione?
Mangione, 26, made headlines in December after the deadly shooting of Brian Thompson, UnitedHealthcare’s CEO. He was arrested in Pennsylvania at a McDonald’s, where he was found with his laptop and backpack. Despite his noteworthy LinkedIn profile, an active Tinder account, and striking appearance, the Maryland native ended up in the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn, a federal jail in New York City, facing charges that could result in the death penalty if convicted.
Before the devastating incident on December 4, 2024, Mangione’s social media posts painted a picture of a young adult battling chronic pain.
What Was He Suffering From?
According to his social media accounts, Mangione was dealing with a condition called spondylolisthesis, which causes severe pain. Mangione had reportedly been living with chronic pain before undergoing spinal surgery in 2023. His frustrations with the healthcare system may have been aggravated by insurance struggles to access proper care.
An image on his X banner displayed an X-ray of his spine post-surgery, and several neurosurgeons and spine specialists confirmed that it appeared to show surgery to correct spondylolisthesis. Additionally, a Reddit post that seemed to be Mangione’s revealed his struggle with back pain, numbness in his limbs and groin, and a sense of devastation due to the injury. He had reportedly endured this agony for over a year and a half.
