New York man arrested for cyberstalking family of slain UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson

UNITED STATES - A 40-year-old man was arrested in New York on charges of cyberstalking a family member of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson just hours after the executive was shot and killed in Manhattan.

According to federal prosecutors, Galway resident Shane Daley made several calls between Dec. 4 and Dec. 7, 2024, to the work number of a Thompson family member.

The voicemails expressed joy over the murder, calling it "justified," and stated that both the relative and the manager's children "deserved to die in a similar manner."

Luigi Mangione, arrested for the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is seen by some as a symbol of the fight against insurer greed. Photo: Reuters

Authorities indicated that the content of the calls included threatening and harassing language.

Acting U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone said, "Brian Thompson was shot and killed in midtown Manhattan. Daley, as alleged, gleefully welcomed this tragedy and did everything he could to compound the pain and suffering of the Thompson family."

Arrest and court conditions

Daley was arrested Wednesday and arraigned in federal court, where he was released under GPS monitoring. His next hearing is scheduled for Thursday afternoon.

His attorney, Samuel Breslin, stated that they are reviewing the allegations and evidence against him.

If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

A murder that shocked the healthcare industry

Brian Thompson was gunned down on December 4 in front of a hotel in New York. The alleged perpetrator, Luigi Mangione, was captured in Pennsylvania after an intensive nationwide manhunt.

According to prosecutors, Mangione was outraged by what he considered "corporate greed" and pleaded not guilty to state and federal charges.

You may be interested in: UnitedHealthcare, where CEO Brian Thompson was murdered and Luigi Mangione is on trial for his death, is under federal investigation for civil fraud.

The crime sparked a strong public debate about the healthcare system in the United States, as Thompson led one of the largest health insurers in the country.