Luigi Mangione is No Hero

Murder is not a solution to systemic problems. And by murder, I’m referring to the unlawful, premeditated killing of one human being by another — the crime committed by Mangione against Brian Thompson, the late CEO of UnitedHealthcare.

The American healthcare system is often criticized for its lack of affordability and equity, with the wealthiest citizens enjoying the best care. However, it’s a leap to suggest that widespread frustration with healthcare would lead to advocating for the murder of CEOs. Most Americans do not believe that killing a healthcare executive could or would solve the structural issues within the system.

Not only do I sympathize with Thompson’s two sons, who will now grow up without a father, but I also can’t help but feel sorry for Mangione, who wasted a life of privilege, attraction, and success and will spend the rest of his life in prison.

Raised in a wealthy Maryland community, his family owned an impressive real estate portfolio, including country clubs. He graduated valedictorian from a private school and earned a master’s degree in computer science by age 26.

On social media, he mentioned struggles with back pain but reported improvement after surgery. Notably, UnitedHealthcare wasn’t even his insurance provider, and there’s no evidence he faced overwhelming medical debt. If financial support was needed, his family had the means to assist.

The media and public response hailed him as a hero fighting for the “little guy” against a “corrupt” healthcare system. Six months before his killing, Mangione cut contact with his family so much that his family filed a missing person report. Mangione sounds like a man whose back pain short circuited his rational thinking, and his isolation merely allowed him to fester in his madness. There are numerous cases of killers feeling isolated prior to their crimes.

Critics of Brian Thompson highlighted allegations that UnitedHealthcare used AI to deny specific claims to boost profits. While these practices warrant scrutiny, they do not justify murder. Many large companies, from tech giants to sports organizations, operate with ethically questionable policies. Yet, we don’t condone violence against their leaders.

The portrayal of Thompson as a “villain” by some media outlets only fueled this misguided hero narrative. Such depictions ignore the complexity of systemic issues and dehumanize individuals. Thompson’s death leaves a family grieving, and public celebrations of his murder are both callous and counterproductive.

Mangione’s actions and the public reaction reveal a deeper cultural issue: America’s troubling relationship with violence. In a society where frustration often turns into anger and aggression, Mangione’s crime becomes a disturbing reflection of broader tendencies. Violence might offer a visceral sense of resolution, but it rarely addresses root causes or creates meaningful change.

What makes Mangione’s story particularly tragic is the wasted potential. He had intelligence, resources, and opportunities. Rather than using his privilege to advocate for change or raise awareness about healthcare inequities, he chose a destructive path. Heroes overcome adversity; they channel their struggles into productive action. Mangione did the opposite, isolating himself and lashing out in the most extreme way possible.

The irony of his actions cannot be overstated. If back pain motivated his crime, he has condemned himself to a life where pain management will be far more challenging — in prison, where healthcare is notoriously inadequate.

Mangione’s actions are not those of a hero but someone who failed to cope with mental issues. His crime reflects a distorted sense of entitlement, an inability to address challenges constructively, and a broader cultural tendency to equate violence with power.

If there is any lesson to be drawn from this tragedy, it is the need for systemic change — in healthcare and beyond. But systemic change requires sustained effort, dialogue, and collective action, not violence. Mangione’s story should be a cautionary tale about the destructive power of privilege misused and the futility of seeking solutions through harm rather than progress.