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Manhunt after Brian Thompson’s murder: he will have already left New York

Investigation into the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO spans multiple US states as online support grows for killer

The manhunt for the killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson continues nationwide. Thompson was gunned down four days ago on a Manhattan pavement. According to ABC News, police believe the suspect left New York immediately after the murder, taking a taxi to the Port Authority terminal and boarding a bus. The bus reportedly made several stops, and investigators are following leads in several states, with support from the FBI.

Surveillance cameras at the terminal captured the suspect on 24 November, when he arrived in New York again by bus, having departed from Atlanta. However, it is unclear where the suspect got on, with some sources suggesting Washington D.C. Police are now investigating the ten days he spent in New York before the 4 December ambush, trying to piece together any details that might lead to his identification.

The investigation is complicated by the vastness of Central Park, where the suspect left immediately after the murder. There, he abandoned a grey backpack, which could have facilitated the search. However, despite the release of an image of the suspect with his face uncovered, investigators fear that recognition may prove more difficult than expected, especially if the individual is not registered in New York State or other national databases.

Moreover, a further problem emerges: a significant part of public opinion, as emerged on social media in the hours following the crime, seems to see the perpetrator as a kind of ‘hero’ who has struck out against the health insurance system. This online support could slow down the collection of crucial information, as it is possible that some people avoid reporting useful details to the police.

The authorities have been working on analysing surveillance footage since 21 November, hoping to identify contacts of the suspect that could provide crucial elements for the capture of the killer.

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