Fingerprints gathered at the scene of UnitedHealthcare CEO’s assassination and those collected during the arrest of suspect Luigi Mangione have been confirmed as a match, according to reports.
This represents the first definitive forensic link between Mangione and the crime scene outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel, where Brian Thompson was shot dead a week ago.
This development occurs as authorities delve into the background of Luigi Mangione, who is still in custody in Pennsylvania while resisting extradition to New York.
Since his arrest on Monday, following a tip-off at a McDonald’s, more details about the 26-year-old’s history have emerged. Mangione, once a privileged member of a wealthy family, high school valedictorian, and Ivy League graduate, had recently disappeared from the view of his loved ones, only to reappear as a suspect in this high-profile murder, which may have been motivated by his struggle with a severe back injury.
Thompson’s killing – a husband and father of two – has highlighted widespread anger among Americans toward the health care industry, with Mangione becoming a symbol of this sentiment. He has garnered sympathy online and offers to cover his legal expenses.
Mangione’s attorney has denied his client’s involvement in the murder and stated that Mangione intends to plead not guilty to the Pennsylvania charges related to a firearm and false ID discovered during his arrest in Altoona.
Facing multiple charges in New York and Pennsylvania, Mangione was denied bail at an extradition hearing on Tuesday afternoon at the Blair County Courthouse in Pennsylvania.
New York prosecutors have charged Mangione with one count of murder, two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, one count of second-degree possession of a forged document, and one count of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, according to online court records.
Frances Ibiefo
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