Deny, Defend, Depose’ Found on Shell Casings in CEO’s Murder

A chilling new detail has emerged in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, with detectives reportedly finding the words “deny,” “defend,” and “depose” inscribed on shell casings found at the crime scene. The discovery, first reported by ABC News, has raised questions about whether the suspect was trying to send a message or hint at the motive behind the brazen attack.

The shooting, described by NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch as a “brazen, targeted attack,” occurred on Wednesday, Dec. 4, just before 6:45 a.m., outside the New York Hilton Midtown hotel. Thompson, 50, was in the city for an investors’ conference when a masked gunman approached him. Tisch said the assailant was “lying in wait,” while Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny described the shooter as being “proficient” in handling firearms.

NYPD detectives are now working to determine whether the words found on the shell casings were intended as a message, with some speculating the phrase could be a reference to “Deny, Delay, Defend,” a common tactic in the insurance industry used to reject claims. This theory could suggest that the killing was linked to Thompson’s role in the healthcare sector.

The shooter, described as a light-skinned male, fired at least three shots, hitting Thompson from behind in the back and leg. After the attack, the suspect fled on an electric Citi Bike, heading towards Central Park. Thompson was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. As of Wednesday afternoon, the gunman remains at large.

Police have released a description of the suspect: a light-skinned male wearing a brown or cream-colored jacket, a black face mask, black and white sneakers, and a “very distinctive grey backpack.” The NYPD is offering a $10,000 reward for any information leading to his capture.

Authorities have also shared three photos of the suspect taken at an undisclosed location, urging the public to contact them at 1-800-577-TIPS. One law enforcement source told the New York Times that the gunman had recently been seen at a Starbucks located about two blocks from the scene of the shooting.

Thompson’s wife, Paulette, revealed in an interview with NBC News that her husband had received threats prior to his trip to New York. Thompson, who joined UnitedHealth Group in 2004 and became CEO in 2021, had a long tenure at the company and was well-respected in the healthcare industry. He lived in Minnesota with his wife and two children.

UnitedHealth Group, the parent company of UnitedHealthcare, expressed their shock and sadness in a statement, calling Thompson a “highly respected colleague” and pledging to support his family during this difficult time. The company’s loss has reverberated throughout the healthcare industry, as Thompson’s leadership was highly regarded.