Luigi Mangione Admits Killing Brian Thompson in Court

Luigi Mangione confessed in open court Friday to gunning down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, delivering a blunt admission as the slain executive’s widow wept silently in the gallery.

“I shot Mr. Thompson in Manhattan and he died,” Mangione, 28, told U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett, reading from a prepared letter in Manhattan federal court.

The admission came as Mangione pleaded guilty to two federal stalking charges stemming from Thompson’s killing.

Members of Thompson’s family glared at Mangione as he entered the courtroom in a beige prison jumpsuit over a white long-sleeved shirt rolled up to his elbows.

His hands were uncuffed and held behind his back. His ankles remained shackled.

Thompson’s widow and several relatives watched from the second row as Mangione sat down, closely reviewed a document with his attorneys and signed it.

“Mr. Mangione is prepared to plead guilty to the indictment at this time,” defense attorney Karen Agnifilo told the judge.

Mangione had been scheduled to stand trial in January on charges of interstate stalking resulting in death and stalking through the use of interstate facilities resulting in death. Each count carries a potential maximum sentence of life in federal prison.

The plea resolves the question of his guilt in the federal prosecution, but it does not end his legal jeopardy.

Mangione still faces a separate New York case charging him with second-degree murder, second-degree possession of a forged instrument and multiple weapons offenses.

Jury selection in the state trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 8.

This story is developing…

BREAKING: Luigi Mangione pleads guilty to federal charges in CEO killing 20 months after Midtown slaying pic.twitter.com/iaQyXC1Llh

— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 14, 2026