NEW YORK — Luigi Mangione, the Suspect in the murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompsonhe is expected to be extradited to New York City to face murder charges.
He is currently held without bond in Altoona, Pennsylvaniawhere authorities say the extradition process could take days, if not weeks. Investigators are now sifting through what they call a mountain of evidence, trying to fill in the gaps of his trip and determine whether he acted alone.
The 26-year-old was captured five days after the shooting after a a customer saw it at a McDonald’s in Altoonawhich is about 300 miles from the Midtown Manhattan shooting scene.
The customer recognized Mangione from the wanted photos and told an employee, who called police. The officers responded and began asking Mangione if he had been to New York City recently.
“We didn’t think twice about it, we knew he was our guy,” Altoona Police Officer Tyler Frye said Monday.
“He got visibly nervous, he was shaking at that question, and he didn’t really answer it directly,” Altoona Deputy Chief Derick Swope said.
Photo obtained by CBS News New York
When asked for identification, police said he gave a fake New Jersey driver’s license, which investigators believe was the same one used. to check into a Manhattan hostel 10 days before the shooting.
Police arrested Mangione on felony forgery charges and, once arrested, searched his backpack, where they found a U.S. passport, clothing matching the gunman’s description, a ghost gun with a suppressor which was consistent with the murder weapon and a three-page handwritten note.
“We don’t believe there are specific threats to other people mentioned in this document, but it does appear that he has some ill will toward American companies,” said NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny.
Gathering Mangione’s time in the race
NYPD
Police also said Mangione was carrying several electronic devices, which they believe he was using to avoid detection.
“He was very careful to try to keep a low profile, to avoid the cameras,” said Lt. Col. George Bivens of the Pennsylvania State Police.
Investigators said the most important clue in the investigation was a photo of the hostel where the suspect took off his mask.
The NYPD has been working around the clock to follow their movements — from his arrival by bus in New York City, to his escape from the crime scene on a bicycle to Central Parkand his taxi ride to an uptown bus terminalwhere they think he fled.
Police believe he left New York City immediately after the shooting and had been traveling through Pennsylvania in the days since. They believe he took a Greyhound bus to Philadelphia and spent some time there before going to Pittsburg and eventually Altoona.
“If you have any information about this suspect or his travels through Pennsylvania, please share those tips with us immediately,” said Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.
Who is Luigi Mangione?
Pennsylvania Department of Corrections
CBS News has learned that Mangione is of a prominent Maryland family which owns country clubs, health facilities and real estate companies. he graduated valedictorian from a private high schoolhe obtained his master’s degree in Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and also has ties to Stanford.
A former classmate and childhood friend he told CBS News he was nice, smart and he didn’t make any enemies during his time at school.
The Mangione family released a statement overnight saying they are devastated and shocked by the news.
“Unfortunately, we cannot comment on the news about Luigi Mangione. We only know what we have read in the media. Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi’s arrest,” the statement said. “We offer our prayers to Brian Thompson’s family and ask people to pray for everyone involved. We are devastated by this news.”
According to his LinkedIn account, Mangione last worked as a data engineer at a vehicle-buying website called True Car in 2023. In recent months, posts tagging him on social media involve that he lost contact with friends, some asking where he was and what he was. doing, wishing him the best and hoping he was okay.
CBS News has also learned that Mangione had been living in a co-working and co-living space called Surfbreak in Honolulu until 2022, when a spokesperson for that community said he left due to a back injury throughout life that was aggravated by surfing and hiking.
“I was roommates with him, friends. I went hiking, I went to yoga. He did everything he could to be athletic,” said RJ Martin, a former Surfbreak roommate. “Unfathomable to know the kind of person I saw and met.”
The spokesperson said they believe he returned to Hawaii in 2023 and started a book club, which they said several members left because of “discomfort with the book choices.”
sources tell CBS News back pain was a major factor in his life and it seemed to be a source of pain and frustration to him.
“Personally, I can’t find any sense in it,” Martin said. “There is never a justification for violence.”
