Newly released evidence photographs have laid bare the contents allegedly found on Luigi Mangione, the man accused of assassinating UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, at the moment of his arrest. The images, presented by New York City prosecutors, catalogue a strange assortment of personal items recovered from the 27-year-old when he was taken into custody at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on 9 December last year.
The Contents of the Alleged Killer's Possessions
Among the most peculiar items was a USB flash drive worn on a silver chain around his neck. Prosecutors have not disclosed the data stored on the device. The visual evidence also included a handwritten note, described as a to-do list for Best Buy dated for 8 and 9 December, with the final, partially legible entry seeming to read 'survival kit'.
Further photographs detailed a significant amount of cash, totalling more than $7,000, which included bills in foreign currencies. Mangione also allegedly possessed a fake driver's licence under the name Mark Rosario, registered in New Jersey. Additional personal effects documented were:
- An Apple laptop
- A bus ticket from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh
- A wallet
- A flashlight
- A pocket knife
- Zip ties
The Arrest and Legal Battle Over Evidence
The arrest unfolded after a 911 call from a McDonald's manager on the morning of 9 December. The manager reported a customer who resembled the 'CEO shooter from New York', noting an older female patron was 'frantic'. Police body camera footage shows officers approaching Mangione, who was wearing a mask and beanie, prompting him to pull the mask down.
Prosecutors allege Mangione presented the fake ID to police, which he had previously used to check into a New York City hostel before the shooting. However, Mangione's defence lawyers are fiercely contesting the admissibility of this evidence. They argue police violated his Fourth and Fifth Amendment rights by questioning him before informing him of his right to remain silent.
His legal team is also seeking to prevent witnesses who only saw police-released surveillance footage from identifying him in court, as they were not direct eyewitnesses to the crime. A suppression hearing before State Supreme Court Justice Gregory Carro is ongoing, with over 20 witnesses expected.
Notoriety and Alleged Motive
The case has attracted significant public attention, with Mangione garnering a fringe following. Supporters, including legions of young women, have appeared outside court wearing merchandise and hailing him for taking a 'bite out of corruption'.
According to prosecutors, a journal recovered from Mangione outlines a potential motive, musing about rebellion against 'the deadly, greed fueled health insurance cartel' and stating that killing an executive 'conveys a greedy bastard that had it coming'. The defence's success in suppressing the gun and notebook evidence would represent a major setback for the prosecution's case.
