UnitedHealthcare sparks outrage with five-word statement about assassinated CEO Brian Thompson

UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Whitty has sparked outrage over his choice of words in a memo to staff that was leaked discussing the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson

The parent company of a health insurer whose CEO was killed in a shocking public assassination has faced backlash after a comment by its boss.

The shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City has become the subject of fierce online debate since he was killed outside the Hilton Midtown Hotel on Sixth Avenue in Manhattan before an investor meeting. A huge search was launched for the gunman, who was later captured and identified as Luigi Mangione, 26.

While some have lauded the actions of Mangione, and his apparent stand against the "parasites" of corporate America, others have hit out at the idea that ordinary citizens should be allowed to carry out what they believe is extrajudicial justice. But this week, the debate ramped up after UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Whitty made a five-word comment in a bid to shield Mr Thompson's legacy.

In a memo sent to staff, Mr Whitty referred to his late colleague as "one of the good guys". The memo was leaked to independent jouranlist Ken Klippenstein, who shared that staff were "frustrated with how tone deaf the response has been".

In the memo, Mr Whitty opened by saying he was aware of the "extraordinarily difficult week" staff were facing, saying the company "remains in a state of mourning". But it was his comments just a couple of sentences later that outraged some as he wrote about how Mr Thompson "helped make a profoundly positive impact on the lives of so many people".

"Brian was one of the good guys," the memo continued. "He was certainly one of the smartest guys. I think he was one of the best guys. I'm going to miss him. And I am incredibly proud to call him my friend. Many have said that we're all a little better for knowing Brian. There is no truer statement than that.

"As we begin to move forward, the best way to honour his life and all that he stood for is to carry on his legacy - continuing to do right by the people who've entrusted us with their care and those who are counting on us to take care of their loved ones. We owe it to Brian to make good on our promise to make health care work better for everybody, in every way."

Many social media users were quick to react to the statement, expressing their outrage at the CEO's comments. One shared their experience saying: "Working in healthcare made me realise how much of a scam it is. When you need to tell yourself and others you 'love your job cause you're helping others' while at the same time making people choose death or bankruptcy, you're not helping others."

"This sums up corporate America so well. Tone deaf to the core, no wonder it's so easy for them to deny life saving care for millions of Americans every year," said another. While a third said: "The murder was horrific, but we must not forget that many Americans are frustrated with being exploited by large health insurance and pharmaceutical companies. A systemic change is necessary. The current system is failing to address the health needs of Americans, and people have every right to be angry about this."

26-year-old Luigi Mangione has been charged with second degree murder following the shooting after he was caught in a McDonalds hundreds of miles away. Mr Thompson, 50, was killed in a "brazen, targeted" attack as he walked to the Hilton hotel where UnitedHealth was hosting a conference on Wednesday, December 4.

Mangione was detained by armed police in Altoona, Pennsyvlania, who found a silencer, a mask, fake IDs and three pages of writings critical of the health insurance industry. He also had on him the fake New Jersey ID the suspect used to check into a Manhattan hostel before the killing.

He was brought into court for a preliminary arraignment on gun charges following his arrest in the fast food restaurant, where staff reportedly recognised him amid the huge manhunt. He has been charged with second-degree murder, online court records show, as well as three gun charges and one for forgery.

Officers also found a three-page document with writings suggesting Mangione had "ill will toward corporate America". NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch added the handwritten document "speaks to both his motivation and mindset.”

Mangione's family released a statement following his arrest. The post, published on social media, reads: "Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi’s arrest. We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved."

His lawyer, Thomas Dickey, told local media he had not "seen any evidence yet" implicating his client. He said Mangione would plead not guilty to the charges he faces in Pennsylvania, including firearms charges.

It is not clear how he would plead to the second-degree murder charges in New York. He is currently being held in state prison in Pennsylvania fighting extradition to face that murder charge.