New details have emerged about Luigi Mangione’s Thailand escapades months before he allegedly murdered UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan, shedding light on the accused killer’s troubling behavior abroad.
According to The New York Times, Mangione, 27, allegedly bragged to friends on WhatsApp about a series of reckless adventures during a backpacking trip through Asia before his return to the U.S. In one message, he claimed he had been beaten up by seven “ladyboys” — a colloquial term for transgender women — while partying in Thailand. The outlet reported that Mangione even shared a photo of his injured arm following the encounter.
The University of Pennsylvania graduate is accused of gunning down Thompson outside UnitedHealthcare’s annual investor conference in Midtown Manhattan in December 2024. Federal prosecutors have charged Mangione with premeditated murder and announced their intent to seek the death penalty.
Authorities say Mangione’s alleged killing of Thompson sparked a disturbing wave of online supporters who viewed the attack as revenge against corporate health care, prompting widespread condemnation.
While Mangione’s defense team has not commented on the reported Thailand messages, prosecutors say the new revelations underscore his volatile and erratic behavior in the months leading up to the high-profile assassination.
The Department of Justice has not provided additional details on Mangione’s alleged motives, but officials describe the case as one of the most brazen corporate-targeted killings in recent memory.
