A striking new photo of Luigi Mangione, the accused in the high-profile murder of UnitedHealthCare CEO Brian Thompson, has surfaced online—showing the 27-year-old behind bars at the Metropolitan Detention Center in New York.
The image quickly caught attention and reignited conversations about the controversial case.
Mangione’s Chill Prison Snap Goes Viral
In the photo, Mangione is seen dressed casually in a white T-shirt and gray sweatpants, flashing a relaxed shaka sign—a hand gesture famously associated with Hawaiian culture.
It’s well known that Mangione spent several months living in Hawaii in 2022, adding context to the gesture.
Beside him stands another inmate, wearing a similar outfit and sporting distinctive hand tattoos, though their identity remains unknown.
The picture first appeared on Reddit before being picked up by outlets like TMZ.
While Mangione’s lawyers declined to comment on the photo’s authenticity, they didn’t deny it either.
Background of the Case and Current Charges
Mangione has been detained since his arrest last December in connection with the shooting death of Brian Thompson at the New York Hilton Midtown hotel.
He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The case is complex: he faces a state murder charge and a separate federal prosecution where the death penalty is on the table.
Legal Battles and Controversies
In May, Mangione’s legal team asked a judge to dismiss the state charges, arguing that prosecuting him on both state and federal levels would be double jeopardy.
If that fails, they plan to fight the terrorism charges and seek to exclude evidence seized during his arrest—including a 9mm handgun, ammunition, and a notebook.
That notebook reportedly contains chilling notes in which Mangione allegedly expressed his intention to “wack” an insurance executive.
Prosecutors have also cited passages where Mangione supposedly praised the Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski, and wrote a confession “to the feds” admitting, “it had to be done.”
Supporters Rally Behind Mangione
Despite the gravity of the charges, Mangione has a vocal fanbase.
Many supporters see him as a symbol of resistance against the “greed-fueled health insurance cartel” and have created artwork portraying him as a heroic figure.
A crowdfunding campaign on GiveSendGo has been set up to help fund his legal defense.
The Murder and Its Aftermath
The killing itself was captured on surveillance video showing a masked gunman shooting Thompson in the back.
Police noted that the bullets used were inscribed with the words “delay, deny, and depose”—a slogan referring to insurance companies’ tactics to avoid paying claims.
Mangione was arrested on December 9, 2024, at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, over 200 miles from the scene.
Prosecutors Push for the Death Penalty
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg called the killing “a murder meant to spread terror.”
Meanwhile, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced in April that federal prosecutors will seek the death penalty, labeling the shooting an act of political violence.
What’s Next in the Trial?
Mangione’s next federal court date is set for December 5, 2025—just one day after the anniversary of Thompson’s death.
If convicted, Mangione could face life in prison without parole or the death penalty.
His defense team has yet to reveal their full strategy, but prosecutors remain confident they have a “slam-dunk” case.
