Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has become an unlikely celebrity, with thousands of dollars in donations and hundreds of handwritten letters pouring in from fans.
Despite pleading not guilty to state murder and terror charges, Mangione has captured the nation’s attention, with memes, merchandise, and even religious-themed candles glorifying him popping up online.
A source close to Mangione revealed that he is “extremely aware” of his newfound fame and is “shocked and really choked up” by the support he has received. The source added that Mangione is “used to receiving attention from men and women alike, but not to this level.”
Mangione’s fellow inmates in Pennsylvania have even helped him get a haircut and shave before his extradition to New York City, where he was greeted by a massive police presence and a crowd of protesters.
The accused killer’s lawyer, Karen Agnifilo, has criticized the NYPD for turning Mangione’s return to New York into a “choreographed spectacle,” calling it “unnecessary” and “absolutely over the top.”
Mangione is being held in a Brooklyn federal jail alongside other high-profile defendants, including Sean “Diddy” Combs and Sam Bankman-Fried. His court appearances have drawn crowds of supporters, with some even traveling from as far as California to attend.
The case has sparked outrage and controversy, with many condemning Mangione’s alleged crimes and others defending him as a “hero” or a “vigilante.” Regardless, it’s clear that Mangione has become a household name, and his fate will be closely watched in the coming months.