We examine the brazen and hyperpolarized case of Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old who premeditated, plotted, and pulled the trigger of his self-designed, 3D-printed ghost gun on 50-year-old Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, on December 4, 2024. We present a nuanced timeline leading up to the murders, theorize about why the UPenn graduate would commit the crime, and explore the memeification and digital canonization of Mangione on the internet.

CW | TW: This episode discusses premeditated details of a shooting and subsequent murder. Listener discretion is advised.

Email: [email protected]

Website: severedpodcast.com

Instagram: @severed_podcast

Hosts: Harry Chambers + Drew Hudson

Logo Art: Drew Hudson

Theme Song Composer | Podcast Editor: Harry Chambers

Show Concept | Researcher | Lead Writer: Drew Hudson

Available on RadioGardenState

Available on Rogue Media Network

Sources

Hulu: Manhunt: Luigi Mangione and the CEO Murder - A Special Edition of 20/20 (2024)

Article: “Who is Luigi Mangione, Suspect in UnitedHealthcare CEO Thompson Murder?” (N.A.; CrimeTimelines.com)

Article: “New Details Emerge about Luigi Mangione, the Man Accused of Killing Health Insurance CEO” by Michael Loria (USAToday)

Article: “CEO Shooting Suspect Left Winding Trail of Reddit Posts about Health Issues” by Dinah Voyles Pulver and Nick Penzenstadler (USAToday)

Article: “Luigi Mangione’s Hawaii Friends Shocked By Arrest In UnitedHealthcare CEO Shooting” by Honolulu Civil Beat (with contributions from The Associated Press; MarylandMatters.org)

Article: “Words on Ammo in CEO Shooting Echo Common Phrase on Insurer Tactics: Delay, Deny, Defend” by Tom Murphy (AssociatedPress)

Article: “D.A. Bragg Announces Murder Indictment of Luigi Mangione,” released by The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office (ManhattanDA.org)

Press Release: “Luigi Mangione Charged with the Stalking and Murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and Use of a Silencer in a Crime of Violence,” released by Office of Public Affairs (Archives of U.S. Department of Justice)

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