Luigi Mangione Pleads Guilty to Stalking Charges in Murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO

Luigi Mangione, 28, pleaded guilty to federal stalking charges in Manhattan on August 14, 2026, in connection with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Mangione admitted to posing as a potential investor to track Thompson's location before fatally shooting him on December 4, 2024. During his court statement, Mangione acknowledged that his actions were illegal and expressed that he intended to instill fear in Thompson. Prosecutors indicated they would seek a life sentence, although federal guidelines suggest a range of 24 to 30 years. Mangione's sentencing is scheduled for December 18, 2026. He also faces separate murder charges in state court, where a double jeopardy argument is anticipated regarding the overlap of the federal and state cases. The Manhattan District Attorney's Office has been preparing for a trial in state court since December 2024. Following the plea, Mangione's attorney stated that he had suffered from severe pain due to a back injury and felt failed by the healthcare system. The case has garnered significant attention, with threats reportedly made against Thompson's family after his murder.