Luigi Mangione, the 27-year-old Ivy League graduate accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, carefully wrote down his plans in a diary, according to prosecutors. These writings, found after his arrest, show a step-by-step of his growing obsession with Thompson and his plan to use the murder as a way to push for major changes in the American healthcare system.
The journal entries trace Mangione’s thought process, from his first ideas to the actual killing, revealing his reasoning and strategy. Months before the shooting, Mangione wrote that he felt more certain his plan was justified, and he noted that delaying the act allowed him to collect more information about UnitedHealthcare. As reported by CNN, he specifically named the health insurance industry, and UnitedHealthcare in particular, as his target, believing it represented everything wrong with American healthcare.
According to Court House News, Mangione’s diary shows he decided against using a bomb to attack the healthcare industry. He thought a bombing would hurt innocent people randomly, which would take attention away from his message. This was different from the methods used by the Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski, whom Mangione criticized in his writings.
Luigi Mangione’s journal reveals process of assassination
He argued that the Unabomber’s approach, which involved random violence, made people focus more on the violence than his message, turning him into what Mangione called a “monster.” Instead, Mangione chose a targeted attack, believing that killing the CEO at an investor conference would have the biggest impact and draw the most attention. He imagined the killing as a precise and highly visible act that would highlight what he called the “greed” of healthcare executives and investors.
Prosecutors argue that the carefully planned nature of the killing, along with Mangione’s writings, strongly s charging him with terrorism. The writings laid out his intended message, his chosen target, and the method he picked to create the biggest effect. They also point to the three bullet casings found at the crime scene, each marked with words referencing insurance industry practices, as more proof that the act was planned and meant to send a message. Mangione’s online activity also played a part; before the shooting, he deleted his social media s, which worried his friends and family.
Mangione’s writings, including a detailed manifesto, expressing little sympathy for Thompson, highlighting widespread frustration with the healthcare system.
After the murder, fear spread through UnitedHealthcare and the wider healthcare industry. Employees received death threats, some doctors quit their jobs, and many said they were afraid for their safety, refusing to put their names on denial letters. The company responded by increasing security, including giving executives personal protection, removing top leaders’ photos from their website, and telling employees not to wear company clothing.
The threats were not limited to UnitedHealthcare; other health insurance companies, like Emblem Health, also became targets, showing how far the impact of Mangione’s actions reached. Prosecutors say these widespread threats and acts of intimidation prove Mangione succeeded in inspiring a wave of violence against the healthcare industry.
Despite the serious charges, Mangione has gained a lot of . A legal defense fund raised over a million dollars for his case, and his court appearances have attracted large crowds of ers who share his anger at the for-profit American healthcare system.
Published: Jun 5, 2025 10:08 am