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The man suspected of killing a senior UnitedHealth executive in midtown Manhattan earlier this week is believed to have fled the city as investigators continue their hunt for him for a third day.
The pursuit comes after Brian Thompson, who ran UnitedHealth’s vast insurance unit, was died outside a hotel in one of Manhattan’s busiest neighborhoods by a masked culprit who fled on an e-bike.
The dawn killing of the CEO on his way to an investor event sparked a nationwide investigation and prompted companies to step up security measures for high-ranking executives.
Investigators believe the suspect, who has yet to be named, has left New York, NYPD Chief Jessica Tisch told CNN.
Joseph Kenny, the chief of detectives, also told CNN that the suspect was last seen at an interstate bus terminal in upper Manhattan, and that he may have boarded a bus to leave the city.
Meanwhile, UnitedHealth told staff he was working with local police to beef up security at his company’s Minnesota headquarters, as well as other locations. Other companies on both sides of the Atlantic have similarly rushed to beef up their security measures in recent days.
UnitedHealth, along with other major health care companies Humana and CVS Health, have removed photos of their management and board members from their websites.
NYPD detectives recovered DNA from a water bottle left at the scene of the crime, which took place in a part of Manhattan frequented by business people and tourists, according to a person with direct knowledge of the investigation.
The suspect is believed to have traveled from Atlanta to New York on a Greyhound bus on November 24, before checking into a hostel on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, where officers were present Thursday.
The Atlanta Police Department said Friday that it had been contacted by the NYPD “and will now provide assistance as needed.” The NYPD was still the lead agency in the investigation, APD added.
Thompson, who has been CEO of UnitedHealth’s insurance unit since 2021 and has been with the company for two decades, was shot three times in the back at about 6:45 a.m. Wednesday. On Thursday, it emerged that detectives found writing on the bullet casings that read “deny”, “defend” and “overthrow” – possibly past a 2010 book about insurers denying claims.
UnitedHealth is America’s fourth largest company by revenue, and its health care and insurance divisions serve tens of millions of Americans.
UnitedHealth said in a statement late Thursday: “Our priorities are, first and foremost, to support Brian’s family; ensuring the safety of our employees; and working with the police to bring the perpetrator to justice.”
