Luigi Mangione admits killing insurance CEO, pleads guilty in federal case

On August 14, 2025, Luigi Mangione admitted to the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan and pleaded guilty to two federal charges of stalking Thompson with the intent to kill him. Mangione, 28, entered his guilty plea without a plea bargain agreement and received no assurances of leniency from federal prosecutors.

Thompson's widow and family were present in the courtroom as Mangione spoke from a prepared statement expressing criticism of the U.S. health insurance system. The guilty plea averts a federal trial in the high-profile case. If convicted, Mangione faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, with a sentencing hearing scheduled for December 18, 2025.

Prosecutors have stated they will seek the maximum penalty. Mangione's lawyers argued that his guilty plea should be considered a mitigating factor in sentencing and that he should not face double jeopardy for the same act under New York law. The Manhattan U.S. Attorney's Office has not made any concessions to Mangione's defense.

Thompson was shot outside a hotel during an investor conference on December 4, 2024, making the crime a media sensation and a social media phenomenon. Mangione stated he sought information about the conference, posing as an investor, and used a 3D printer to create part of a gun, intending to kill Thompson. UnitedHealth Group expressed gratitude to law enforcement for apprehending the murderer.