As authorities gathered details about the life and recent activities of Luigi Mangione, the man charged with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, his lawyer stated that they would contest extradition to New York City.

Thomas Dickey, the attorney for 26-year-old Mangione, informed the media on Tuesday that he plans to fight extradition and that his client intends to plead not guilty to charges stemming from his arrest in Pennsylvania, which included possession of a firearm and counterfeit identification.

Additionally, Mangione’s legal representative indicated that he expects his client to plead not guilty to several charges from Manhattan prosecutors, which involve second-degree murder, various weapon-related offenses, and forgery.

“I have not seen any evidence proving he’s the shooter,” Dickey remarked, adding: “We will defend this case within the legal framework and uphold my client’s constitutional rights.”

Mangione, who graduated from an Ivy League university and was the valedictorian at his prep school, was detained in Pennsylvania after being recognized by a McDonald’s customer and employee from public surveillance images released by the New York Police Department.

Reportedly, Mangione showed local authorities a fake New Jersey driver’s license that matched one used by the suspect in Manhattan. During a search, police found a weapon, a silencer—both fabricated with a 3D printer—and “written confessions regarding the crime” as indicated in a warrant filed in New York.

Investigation into Possible Back Injury and Insurance Claims

Authorities are investigating a potential back injury that Mangione apparently suffered and whether he faced any denial of insurance claims related to it.

During an interview on Fox News’ “Your World with Neil Cavuto,” NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny mentioned that Mangione might have injured his back on July 4, 2023. Writings discovered during his arrest referenced this injury along with discussions about UnitedHealthcare.

“He posted an X-ray on social media. Some of his writings showed he expressed difficulty coping with that injury,” Kenny said. “We are investigating if the insurance company denied him a claim or didn’t provide adequate support.”

Friends from Mangione’s recent years in Hawaii reported that chronic pain had impacted his previously active lifestyle, as mentioned by the Honolulu Civil Beat, a nonprofit news organization. His profile on X featured a background image showing an X-ray with what seemed to be screws and plates affixed in his lower back.

R.J. Martin, who founded a co-living community in Honolulu where Mangione resided for the first half of 2022, stated that they kept in contact even after he moved but that his friend had stopped reaching out in the summer.

“He became unreachable around June or July,” Martin shared.

Concerns Rise in Luigi Mangione’s Maryland Hometown

In a Baltimore suburb, attorney Thomas J. Maronick Jr. sat in his office trying to grasp how a young man from a respected local family could end up facing serious criminal charges.

Maronick has worked with various members of the Mangione family, known for owning country clubs and the local radio station where he previously hosted a talk show. However, he expressed uncertainty about what may have contributed to the young man’s drastic change.

“I share the same curiosity as everyone else. How did a young man of privilege and opportunities find himself in this situation if these allegations hold true?” Maronick told YSL News, reflecting a shared concern in Mangione’s community.

The arrest left many in Towson and nearby areas in shock, given the family’s prominence. Nonetheless, Maronick noted that residents awaited more information to understand the circumstances surrounding the arrest.

“It’s a terrible situation, undoubtedly a tragedy. However, the accused is entitled to the presumption of innocence. That’s just the defense attorney in me speaking, but truly, I hope that’s the outcome,” he added.

– N’dea Yancey-Bragg and Chris Kenning

Luigi Mangione’s Mother Reported Him Missing in San Francisco

Recently, Mangione’s mother filed a missing person report with the San Francisco Police, searching for her son, whom she hadn’t heard from since July, as per various media reports.

The missing person report was lodged on November 18, according to the San Francisco Examiner and San Francisco Chronicle.

In response to inquiries regarding the report, Robert Rueca, a representative of the San Francisco Police Department, did not provide any comments and instead directed questions to the New York Police Department.

Authorities had previously noted that Magnione resided in San Francisco following his college years, with Hawaii being his last known address.

According to a company spokesperson, he departed from TrueCar, a California-based auto marketplace, in 2023, as reported by YSL News. Magnione’s mother referred to this company as her son’s final place of employment in the report.

Authorities Vigilant for Imitators Targeting Executives

Law enforcement across various states is on high alert, concerned that the murder of Thompson in New York City could lead to threats or calls for action against corporate leaders and their families.

A bulletin issued in Colorado warned that the attack could be exploited as “messaging and propaganda” to devise strategies for targeting additional health care firms, according to WLS-TV. It urged businesses to reassess their security protocols to protect their executives.

On Monday in Chicago, a sign reading “Deny Defend Depose” was displayed on a bridge crossing the city’s famous DuSable Lake Shore Drive. Authorities indicated that these were the words found on bullet casings at the scene of Thompson’s murder.

The Chicago Police Department initiated an investigation after someone vandalized several North Side businesses by spray-painting the phrase “Kill your CEO” on their walls over the past weekend, as reported by local news stations.