A collection of rumors about UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting defendant Luigi Mangione

Almost immediately after police arrested 26-year-old Luigi Mangione on Dec. 9, 2024, in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on the streets of Manhattan, the internet exploded with rumors about the accused shooter.

Some online celebrated Mangione as a folk hero and a heartthrob. Rolling Stone described him as the "most debated and polarizing murder suspect in recent history," in part due to how the Thompson case and speculation over Mangione's reported struggles with chronic back pain ignited conversations about health insurance reform in the United States.

In the wake of Mangione's arrest and murder charges, Snopes debunked a fake picture of him in a "Sailor Moon" costume, verified a Mangione mug shot and broke down what we knew about his alleged female fans in court, among other rumors.

On April 1, 2025, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that she had directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty in Mangione's case as the administration carries out "President [Donald] Trump's agenda to stop violent crime and Make America Safe Again." The news sparked the spread of additional Mangione-related rumors, including one that claimed he would receive a harsher punishment than any school shooter in American history.

Here's a collection of our stories breaking down rumors connected to Mangione.

At least 4 school shooters sentenced to death since 1940, but not one has yet been executed

April 4, 2025 The claim that "zero" school shooters have ever been sentenced to death is false.

A man with dark brown curly hair, thick eyebrows and a five o'clock shadow looks into the camera, sitting in front of a courtroom desk. He's wearing a dark maroon sweater with a white collar underneath and holding a piece of paper. Police stand beside him.

What We Know About Luigi Mangione's Alleged Female Fans In Court

Dec. 24, 2024 According to ABC News, about two dozen women waited in the cold for public seats to support Luig ...

Fake Photo Shows Luigi Mangione in 'Sailor Moon' Costume

Dec. 16, 2024 The UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting suspect reportedly loved Japanese culture.

Online users discussed a fake image showing a green Luigi beanie sold more than 100000 units on the day of the arrest of Luigi Nicholas Mangione.

Luigi Beanie Didn't Hit 100K in Sales After Arrest of CEO Shooting Suspect Luigi Mangione

Dec. 11, 2024 This rumor about the Luigi beanie wasn't the only claim circulating about the Mario-companion Ni ...

Online users discussed a purported Nintendo of America post or tweet with the two words free him and showing an image of the video game character Luigi.

Nintendo Didn't Post 'Free Him' About Luigi After UnitedHealthcare CEO Shooting Suspect's Arrest

Dec. 10, 2024 The fake post showed Nintendo's character Luigi trapped in a cage following the arrest of a susp ...

'Wanted' Posters for Health Care CEOs in NYC: Here's What We Know

Dec. 17, 2024 Although it is unknown who put up the posters and why, the NYPD confirmed they exist.

Yes, This Is an Official Mug Shot of the UnitedHealthcare CEO Shooting Suspect

Dec. 11, 2024 The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections released several photos of the alleged shooter.

A collection of rumors about UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting defendant Luigi Mangione

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said in April 2025 that prosecutors would seek the death penalty against Mangione.

Grace Deng

Published April 6, 2025