The arrest of Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old Ivy League graduate accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has left his family and friends reeling.
Mangione, who was apprehended on Monday at a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania, is facing charges of second-degree murder and multiple weapon offences. The incident, which occurred outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel last Friday, has drawn widespread shock and confusion among those who knew him.
“Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi’s arrest,” Mangione’s family said in a statement, reported ABC News. “We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and ask people to pray for all involved”, the statement added.
Friends recall a bright, unassuming personality
Luigi Mangione’s classmates and former associates have described him as a brilliant and approachable individual, making the allegations against him all the more surprising.
Freddie Leatherbury, a former classmate from the Gilman School, remembered him as humble despite being named valedictorian in 2016. “He wasn’t snobby, he was unassuming and easy to approach,” CNN qouted Leatherbury.
RJ Martin, who lived with Mangione in a communal space in Hawaii, said the news was incomprehensible. “I can make zero sense of it,” Martin told CNN. He recalled Mangione as an active and thoughtful person, participating in activities like book clubs and hiking.
Others who worked with Mangione during his academic years shared similar sentiments. A former colleague from a Stanford summer programme described him as socially adept and outgoing. “I never got the impression he would self-destruct,” the colleague told CNN.
Among the reactions to Luigi Mangione’s arrest was a deeply emotional tribute from his friend Tracy Le, shared on Instagram just hours after his name was revealed in connection with the case.
“When I first saw the news, I was hoping it was just either a common name or a mistake,” Le wrote, highlighting the disbelief she felt.
As per the Sun, she described Mangione as one of her “best, closest, and most trusted friends,” recalling their close bond.
Le shared that Mangione had been a significant presence in her life, the go-to person for her “identity crisis rants, relationship problems, career complaints,” always offering comfort and leaving her feeling better. “He was caring, and smart, and mature, and sweet, and so considerate,” she noted.
Reflecting on their time together, Le recalled how she had always relied on him to plan trips and trusted his ability to make their time memorable. “I am shaken, I am blindsided, but most of all, I am sad. I am heartbroken. I am overwhelmed,” she concluded in her tribute
Although Mangione was known for his social media activity, his sudden silence in recent months raised concerns among friends.
On Goodreads, where he had shared reviews of hundreds of books, including a positive review of the Unabomber manifesto, his absence was noticed.
Earlier this year, a user on X expressed concern, writing, “Nobody has heard from you in months, and apparently your family is looking for you.”
When Mangione was arrested, police found a backpack containing a 3D-printed pistol, silencer, and a note criticising corporate America. Investigators believe the attack was premeditated and targeted.
The Mangione family, known for their community involvement, expressed their grief and called for prayers during this difficult time. Meanwhile, friends are left grappling with the stark contrast between the person they knew and the allegations now facing him.