Luigi Mangione confessed in court on Friday to the fatal shooting of Brian Thompson, a health insurance executive, and pleaded guilty to two federal charges related to stalking the CEO with the intent to kill him. Mangione, dressed in beige prison attire, calmly acknowledged his actions, criticizing the U.S. health insurance system as he addressed the court. Thompson’s widow, accompanied by family members, visibly emotional, listened as Mangione admitted to the shooting.
The guilty plea avoids a federal trial in the high-profile case surrounding the death of the 50-year-old UnitedHealthcare CEO, a crime that sparked public outrage and highlighted frustrations with the healthcare industry. Mangione, aged 28, made his plea without any deals with prosecutors, facing the possibility of a life sentence during the sentencing scheduled for December 18. U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett may consider his guilty plea as a mitigating factor in determining the punishment.
The plea also allowed Mangione’s defense to file a motion to dismiss separate state charges of murder and weapons violations, arguing against potential double jeopardy under New York law. Jamie McDonald, Manhattan’s U.S. Attorney, emphasized that no special treatment or concessions were made for Mangione, stating that no grievance or belief could justify murder.
Thompson’s family welcomed the plea as a step towards justice and urged the court to ensure a fitting sentence for the crime. Thompson, who led UnitedHealth Group’s insurance division, was fatally shot outside a hotel during an investor conference in December 2024. The case gained widespread media attention due to the graphic nature of the crime and the subsequent manhunt that led to Mangione’s arrest in Pennsylvania.
Mangione detailed in court how he faced insurance challenges after a back injury, eventually resorting to impersonating an investor to gather information about the conference attended by Thompson. He admitted to using a 3D printer to create part of a gun and traveling to New York with the intention of killing the CEO. UnitedHealth Group expressed gratitude to law enforcement for resolving the case.
Mangione had initially pleaded not guilty to federal charges in April 2025, but subsequent legal proceedings saw murder and weapons charges dismissed. Separately, he faced state charges, including terrorism, murder, and weapons offenses, with a trial scheduled for September 8. His defense team argued against further prosecution under double jeopardy laws, asserting his constitutional rights. The state prosecution’s readiness to contest this motion signals a continued pursuit of justice for Thompson and his family.