COPS hunting for the killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York are “closing in” on his assassin.
The man who gunned down the healthcare boss was seen on his phone in security footage less than 15 minutes before the murder.
WABCThe suspected killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on his phone[/caption]
Thompson, 50, died after being shot in the back as he arrived at the New York Hilton Midtown in Manhattan at around 6:45 am on Wednesday morning.
A man matching the killer’s description, wearing a dark jacket, hat, mask, and gray backpack, can be seen appearing to talk on his phone walking toward the Hilton Hotel at around 6:30 am.
He got to the hotel about five minutes before the shooting and layin wait for Thompson, who was arriving at the hotel for an investor conference.
The killer appeared to be a skilled shooter, law enforcement sources said, using a silencer and gunning down Thompson from a distance of around 20 feet.
He was also able to recover quickly when his gun appeared to jam during the shooting, fixing the issue and continuing to fire as the CEO tried desperately to crawl away.
Disturbing footage shows the gunman pumping multiple rounds into Thompson as he arrived at the luxury hotel.
Following the shooting, the killer got on a CitiBike and rode north on Sixth Avenue, fleeing into nearby Central Park where surveillance camera coverage is patchier.
The killer remains at large, but police have recovered a phone in an alleyway near the Hilton they believe belongs to the killer, sources said.
They have obtained a search warrant to unlock the phone and go through its contents.
The suspect can also be seen on security footage buying a coffee, a water bottle, and two PowerBars at a nearby Starbucks just blocks from the hotel moments before the shooting.
Cops have dug out the bottle and coffee cup from a nearby trashcan, according to sources.
Forensics teams discovered a chilling message left on the bullets the killer used to murder Thompson in cold blood.
The words “deny,” “depose,” and “defend,” were found on live rounds and shell casings at the scene, police sources told the New York Post.
Those words could have been a reference to the book Delay, Deny, Defend, which covered insurance companies and why they refuse to pay claims.
The book’s author, Jay M. Feinman, refused to speak following the murder.
No motive has been released yet for the killing, but police believe Thompson was “specifically targeted.”
A $10,000 reward for information related to the killer has been offered by the NYPD.
Thompson, a married father, was rushed to Mount Sinai West Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 7:12 am, police said.
His wife Paulette said her husband had been receiving threats in the run-up to his murder.
It has been revealed the couple were estranged, with the pair living in separate homes less than a mile apart in suburban Maple Grove, Minnesota.
UnitedHealth Group Statement on Brian Thompson
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed in a brazen attack on December 4 as he was leaving a New York City hotel. Parent company UnitedHealth Group released the following statement:
“We are deeply saddened and shocked at the passing of our dear friend and colleague Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare.
“Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him.
“We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time.
“Our hearts go out to Brian’s family and all who were close to him.”
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