Assassinated United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson Insider Trading Investigation
The recent tragic assassination of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson has shocked many, with investigators suggesting that it may not have been a “professional” hit. The assailant, who is still at large, carried out a brazen and targeted attack outside the New York Hilton Midtown where an investors meeting was being held. Despite the planned nature of the attack, the shooter’s use of an electric Citibike and subsequent attempt to evade capture indicate a lack of sophistication.
Thompson, along with several other senior executives at United Healthcare, including Chairman Stephen Helmsley, Chief People Officer Erin McSweeney, and Chief Accounting Officer Tom Roos, was under investigation by the Justice Department for insider trading. The executives had collectively sold $101.5 million in shares prior to the public disclosure of the investigation in February.
As investigators work to apprehend the killer, social media reactions have been mixed, with some expressing little sympathy for Thompson’s family due to United Healthcare’s status as the largest insurance company in the U.S. The assassin left behind bullet casings with the words “deny,” “defend,” and “depose,” which are also the title of a book about insurance companies’ practices of denying coverage.
While the motive behind Thompson’s assassination remains unclear, law enforcement is actively pursuing leads to bring the perpetrator to justice. It is expected that more details will emerge as the investigation progresses.
