National
Man accused of killing CEO fighting extradition back to NY
The suspected killer of a health insurance company CEO remains behind bars in Pennsylvania. 26-year-old Luigi Mangione is facing murder charges in New York.
Mangione is also fighting his extradition back to New York and was denied bail during a court appearance in Pennsylvania, on Tuesday. He was seen struggling and shouting as authorities brought him into a Pennsylvania courthouse.
Mangione is accused of murdering United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan last week. His arrest Monday ended a nearly week-long nationwide manhunt from New York City – where the crime was caught on camera.
“Officers made contact with the male who was subsequently arrested on unrelated charges,” Cpl. August Stickel with the Altoona Police Department said after authorities arrested Mangione at a McDonalds.
Police in Altoona say that witnesses called police after recognizing him. They also say he was found with multiple fake ID’s, a passport, and most importantly, a gun with a silencer.
His Cousin Nino Mangione is a Maryland state delegate and released a statement on behalf of the family. “Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi’s arrest. We offer prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved.”
Those who know him say the crime doesn’t fit his character.
“He was a very thoughtful person,” Mangione’s former roommate R.J. Martin said. “He communicated very well, was friendly, had good relationships with everyone.”
Investigators are now left piecing together why he might have been the one to commit such a brazen crime.
Authorities say a document that criticized corporate America and with these words: “These parasites had it coming” and “I do apologize for any strife and trauma, but it had to be done.”
“It does seem that he has some ill will toward corporate America,” NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said.
Along with the murder charge out of New York, Mangione is facing a separate gun charge in Pennsylvania.
