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A man suspected of murdering a top UnitedHealth executive in Midtown Manhattan earlier this week is believed to have left the city, as investigators’ search for him continued for a third day.
The manhunt comes after Brian Thompson, who led UnitedHealth’s vast insurance unit, was arrested fatal shot outside a hotel in one of Manhattan’s busiest districts by a masked perpetrator who fled on an electric bicycle.
The predawn murder of an executive on his way to an investor event has launched a nationwide investigation and prompted companies to increase security measures for executives. high level executive.
Investigators believe the suspect, who has not yet been named, has left New York, Jessica Tisch, commissioner of the New York Police Department, told CNN.
Joseph Kenny, the chief of detectives, also told CNN that the suspect was last spotted at an interstate bus station in suburban Manhattan and may have boarded a bus to leave the city.
Meanwhile, UnitedHealth has told employees it is working with local law enforcement to increase security at the company’s headquarters in Minnesota, as well as other locations. Other companies on both sides of the Atlantic have similarly rushed in recent days to beef up their security measures.
UnitedHealth, along with other major health care companies Humana and CVS Health, have removed photos of management and board members from their websites.
According to a person with direct knowledge of the investigation, NYPD detectives recovered DNA from a water bottle left at the scene of the crime, which took place in a part of Manhattan where businessmen and frequented by tourists.
The suspect is believed to have traveled from Atlanta to New York by Greyhound bus on November 24, before checking into a motel on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, where officers were present on Thursday.
The Atlanta Police Department said Friday it had been contacted by the NYPD “and will now provide assistance as needed.” APD added that the NYPD remains the lead agency in the investigation.
Thompson, who had been chief executive of UnitedHealth’s insurance unit since 2021 and had been with the company for two decades, was shot three times from behind around 6:45 a.m. Wednesday. On Thursday, it was reported that detectives found writing on bullet casings that read “deny,” “defend” and “depose” — possibly similar to a 2010 book about The insurance company denied the claim.
UnitedHealth is America’s fourth-largest U.S. company by revenue, and its health care and insurance divisions serve tens of millions of Americans.
UnitedHealth said in a statement late Thursday: “Our top priority is supporting Brian’s family; ensure the safety of our employees; and work with law enforcement to bring perpetrators to justice.”
