The shocking assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a New York City Hilton on December 4, 2024, unfolded with chilling precision, as revealed by a combination of surveillance footage, police work, and public tips. This timeline reconstructs the events leading up to and following the tragic incident.

Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old former Ivy League student, has been identified as the prime suspect. While the motive remains unclear, cryptic messages on the bullet casings – "deny," "depose," and "defend" – allude to a book criticizing insurance claim denials, fueling speculation of a possible connection to a rejected claim. Thompson's personal circumstances, including a separation from his wife and recent company layoffs, add further layers to the investigation.

The Days Before

Mangione's journey began with a Greyhound bus trip from Atlanta to New York. He used a fake ID and paid cash for a hostel room near Central Park, maintaining a low profile before the attack.

Wednesday, December 4

Early Morning: Surveillance footage captured Mangione at a Midtown coffee shop and repeatedly passing by a deli near the crime scene. Shortly before 6:40 a.m., he ambushed Thompson outside the Hilton, shooting him in the leg and chest from behind. Thompson, in New York for a conference, was rushed to a hospital but tragically succumbed to his injuries.

Escape Route: Mangione fled the scene, discarding his phone in an alley. He then rode a bicycle north towards Central Park, ditching his backpack along the way. Emerging from the park, he took a taxi to a bus terminal and left the city.

Thursday, December 5

Police released images of Mangione, obtained from the hostel's security camera, where he had reportedly flirted with a staff member, briefly lowering his mask and revealing his face.

Friday, December 6

The search for evidence intensified in Central Park. Police confirmed Mangione's likely departure from New York, expanding the manhunt nationwide.

Monday, December 9

A McDonald's customer in Altoona, Pennsylvania, recognized Mangione from a wanted poster and alerted authorities. He was apprehended with a fake ID, a ghost gun with a 3D-printed receiver and suppressor, and written confessions. While Mangione remained silent under questioning, NYPD detectives and officials from the Manhattan District Attorney's office arrived in Altoona.

Tragically, Thompson's family laid him to rest in a private funeral in Minnesota on the same day.

Tuesday, December 10 - Wednesday, December 18

Mangione initially fought extradition but later relented. The NYPD linked the recovered gun to the shell casings and matched Mangione's fingerprints to items found near the crime scene. The Manhattan DA announced an indictment on first-degree murder, citing the assassination as an act of terror, and condemned online support for the suspect.

Thursday, December 19

Mangione agreed to return to New York to face charges, including first-degree murder, multiple weapons charges, and possession of a forged instrument. Demonstrators outside the Pennsylvania courthouse displayed signs with the same phrases found on the shell casings.

The investigation continues, as authorities seek to fully understand the motivations behind this shocking act of violence.