Who Was Brian Thompson? All About the UnitedHealthcare CEO Shot Dead Outside a Hotel in Manhattan

Mar. 15, 2025

Late UnitedHealthcare CEO, Brian Thompson.Photo:UnitedHealth Group

UnitedHealth Group

Brian Thompsonwas the victim of an apparent targeted attack.

The late UnitedHealthcare CEO, who wasfatally shot outside of a New York City hotelon Dec. 4, grew up in Iowa. He joined UnitedHealthcare in 2004 and stepped into the role of CEO in 2021, per hisLinkedIn.

Thompson was arriving at the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan just before 6:45 a.m. when a masked gunman shot him in the chest. He was on his way to an investors’ conference and, according toThe New York Times, had arrived early to prepare.

The outlet reported that the gunman apparently knew which door Thompson was going to enter and was just feet away from the CEO when he shot him several times, thenfled the scene on a bicycleand headed toward Central Park. Shortly after, Thompson was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

On Dec. 9,Luigi Mangionewasarrested and charged with second-degree murderin connection to Thompson. Mangione is being held at the State Correctional Institution in Huntingdon, Pa., without bail.

The statement continued, “Brian was an incredibly loving, generous, talented man who truly lived life to the fullest and touched so many lives. Most importantly, Brian was an incredibly loving father to our two sons and will be greatly missed.”

Here’s everything to know about the late UnitedHealthcare CEO, Brian Thompson.

He graduated from the University of Iowa

Flags fly at half mast outside the United Healthcare corporate headquarters on Dec. 4, 2024, in Minnetonka, Minn.Stephen Maturen/Getty

Stephen Maturen/Getty

According to his LinkedIn, Thompson graduated from the University of Iowa in 1997 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and accounting.

Thompson was named valedictorian of his graduating class and earned multiple honors, including recognition as a collegiate scholar and faculty scholar.

He lived in Minnesota

Although Thompson was raised in rural Iowa, he most recently resided in Maple Grove, Minn., according to theWall Street Journal— a short drive from the UnitedHealthcare headquarters, which are in Minnetonka, Minn.

“Minnesota is sending our prayers to Brian’s family and the UnitedHealthcare team,” the governor added.

He became CEO of UnitedHealthcare in 2021

Police officers take security measures after CEO of UnitedHealthcare Brian Thompson is shot and killed in Midtown Manhattan on Dec. 4, 2024.Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty

Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty

Thompson joined UnitedHealthcare in 2004 after spending over six years at PwC, per his LinkedIn.

He started as director of corporate development and went on to become CEO of the healthcare group in April 2021. UnitedHealthcare is a division of UnitedHealth Group, one of the largest insurance companies in the U.S., perInsurance Business.

He was shot and killed outside of a Manhattan hotel

New York Police Department (NYPD) officers outside the New York Hilton Midtown in New York City on Dec. 4, 2024.Yuki Iwamura/Bloomberg/Getty

Yuki Iwamura/Bloomberg/Getty

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the attack as “brazen” and said the gunman had been“lying in wait”outside the building before carrying out the targeted shooting.

While the motive remains undisclosed, Thompson’s wife toldNBC Newsthat her husband hadrecently received “some threats.”

She added, “Basically, I don’t know, a lack of coverage? I don’t know details. I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him.”

On Dec. 9, police arrested Luigi Mangione in connection to the fatal shooting of Thompson. Mangione was charged with second-degree murder in Manhattan and he faces five charges in Pennsylvania.

He was facing allegations of fraud

According toCNN, Thompson was sued in May 2024 for alleged fraud and illegal insider trading.

The Hollywood Firefighters’ Pension Fund claimed UnitedHealth executives — including Thompson — hid a U.S. Justice Department antitrust investigation to boost stock prices. The lawsuit said Thompson, who was allegedly aware of the investigation since October 2023, sold 31% of his shares for a $15 million profit shortly before the news caused the stock to drop 5%, according to the outlet.

He had a wife and two sons

(L): Late UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson ; (R): Brian Thompson’s wife, Paulette “Pauley” Thompson.UnitedHealth Group;Facebook

UnitedHealth Group;Facebook

Paulette, a physical therapist with Park Nicollet Health Services, earned her master’s degree in physical therapy from the University of Iowa in 1999, according toLocal Channel2 Now.

According to theMinnesota Star Tribune, Thompson’s elder son graduated from high school in the spring of 2024, while his younger son is currently a sophomore.

The older son played lacrosse throughout high school, with assistant coach Brandon Carlson telling the outlet that Thompson was “present” for many of the team’s events.

He added that Thompson and his wife “were very supportive of their son.”

He was described as “whip-smart” and a “respected colleague” after his death

UnitedHealth Groupexpressed their shock and sadnessin aLinkedIn statement, writing, “Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him. Our hearts go out to Brian’s family and all who were close to him.”

Additionally, Matt Burns, a former UnitedHealthcare communications executive who worked with Thompson,describedthe CEO as “whip-smart” and “affable,” adding that he was “a guy who could grasp the complexities of health care and explain them in simple, relatable terms true to his Iowa upbringing.”

“His star ascended rapidly and yet I don’t recall him forgetting those he worked with in the trenches along the way. He toggled between his leadership role and relatable Joe as effectively and easily as anyone I’ve encountered professionally,” Burns wrote on LinkedIn. “Rest easy, BT. You are gone too soon.”

source: people.com