The man accused of fatally shooting the UnitedHealthcare CEO is being celebrated by a portion of the country … and now some are trying to make a buck off that twisted admiration.
Here’s the deal … Luigi Mangione was apprehended Monday … and hours later, the Manhattan D.A. charged him with murder in the brazen December 4 fatal shooting of Brian Thompson.
Ever since the cold-blooded murder … Mangione cultivated a large fan following of those who hate the health insurance industry — so, it is not that big of a surprise that there’s now merchandise celebrating the suspect.
From shirts to cups, from a Christmas ornament to even a mock-Time Person of the Year cover … the morbid offerings continue to expand.
The bizarre admiration was stewing even before Mangione had been apprehended … but it really took off after he was captured.
Mere minutes after the suspect was identified and internet sleuths found his socials … admirers began posting Super Mario Bros. and “Sopranos” memes celebrating Mangione.
Even before Mangione had been identified … morbid devotees held a look-alike contest in NYC, while others were buying the jacket they thought was the same as the one worn by the suspect.
Monday morning … Mangione was busted in Altoona, Pennsylvania as he sat inside a McDonald’s restaurant. A customer recognized Mangione from widely circulated wanted posters following Thompson’s murder, and told an employee … who then contacted local police, who responded and cuffed the suspect.
CNN
Authorities recovered the alleged pistol Mangione used in the murder and a 3-page manifesto he’d written railing against corporate America and the healthcare industry, according to police.
We’ve reached out to Esty for comment on the morbid offerings … so far, no word back.
