Paulette Thompson came face-to-face with Luigi Mangione for the first time as the accused killer pleaded guilty to federal charges in her husband’s murder.
The 53-year-old physical therapist sat in the Manhattan courtroom Friday as Mangione, 28, emotionlessly admitted to gunning down Brian Thompson, 50, in cold blood. Paulette wore sunglasses and a blue dress, looking stoic through the proceedings, according to witnesses in the courtroom. She sobbed silently as Mangione confessed, “I shot Mr. Thompson in Manhattan and he died.”
Earlier in the hearing, Mangione told the court he had used a ruse to gather information about Thompson’s schedule, contacting UnitedHealthcare ahead of time while posing as an investor at a multibillion-dollar firm. He trailed the executive to an investor conference in 2024 and ambushed him on a New York City street.
In the audience, Paulette took several deep breaths and repeatedly wiped tears from her eyes as the confession unfolded. A supporter put an arm around her and held her tight.
While Paulette stayed mum about the dramatic development, her family later released a statement through a spokesperson calling the plea a critical step toward accountability.
“Today’s guilty plea marks an important step toward justice for Brian and for our family. While nothing will ease the pain of losing him, we are grateful that the federal justice system has held the person responsible for this heinous act accountable,” the statement said.
“Now we look to the court to ensure that sentencing reflects the severity of this crime. We remain mindful that additional proceedings in New York and Pennsylvania are still to come, and we will continue to seek the justice Brian deserves.”
Family members of Thompson, including his elderly mother, walked quickly outside the Manhattan courthouse and declined to answer questions from the media. Thompson’s two children were not present at the hearing.
As they left, a supporter on a one-wheeled electric skateboard repeatedly shouted, “America Loves Luigi!”
Thompson’s killing has spurred a slew of twisted supporters, who have cheered his death amid widespread anger toward America’s broken health care system.
In court, Mangione confessed to killing Thompson because he suffered years of severe back pain and believed the health insurance system had failed him and ruined his life. When U.S. District Judge Margaret M. Garnett asked whether he understood that he could spend the rest of his life behind bars, Mangione answered neutrally: “Yes.”
Prosecutors plan to seek a life prison term at Mangione’s sentencing, set for Dec. 18. The guilty plea resolves one of two cases against him in connection with Thompson’s death.
Mangione is scheduled to go on trial Sept. 8 on state murder charges. With his guilty plea in federal court, his lawyers could seek to have the state case thrown out on double jeopardy grounds.
In the viral moment that launched this case, Thompson — a 50-year-old father of two who ran the health insurance company — was shot dead by Mangione outside a Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan on Dec. 4, 2024. The masked gunman approached Thompson from behind just before 6:45 a.m. As the executive walked to UnitedHealth Group’s annual investor conference, firing several times and fleeing on a bicycle through Central Park. Police said “delay,” “deny” and “depose” were written on the ammunition, mimicking a phrase used to describe how insurers avoid paying claims. Surveillance footage of the methodical killing sparked a five-day manhunt that ended with Mangione’s arrest at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania.
Following Thompson’s sudden death, Paulette had shared a statement via text message to local station FOX 9, saying that she was “shattered” by the “senseless killing.”
“There had been some threats” against her husband, she said at the time. “Basically I don’t know, a lack of coverage? I don’t know details. I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him.”
“I can’t really give a thoughtful response right now,” she continued. “I just found this out and I’m trying to console my children.”
In a statement to CNN, she said, “We are shattered to hear about the senseless killing of our beloved Brian. Brian was an incredibly loving, generous, talented man who truly lived life to the fullest and touched so many lives. Most importantly, Brian was an incredibly loving father to our two sons and will be greatly missed.”
Mangione faces a sentence of life behind bars — as well as an upcoming trial in state court, which he is trying to get thrown out over double jeopardy claims.