THE words inscribed on the bullets the gunman used to execute in cold blood UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson may have a secret meaning.
The three-worded message with the words “deny,” “depose” and “defend” could be a reference to a book, it has emerged.
A book written by insurance law expert Professor Jay M. Feinman in 2010 may have inspired these words. The book, titled “Delay, Deny, Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don’t Pay Claim and What You Can Do About,” is a scathing critique of the insurance industry.
Feinman accuses insurance companies of adopting questionable practices, such as deliberately delaying or denying valid claims, as outlined in his book.
The book features numerous real-life examples involving prominent insurers and offers guidance to readers on navigating insurance purchases wisely and handling contested claims effectively.
The suspect opened fire against Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel on Wednesday.
The shooting happened just after 6:45am as he walked into the New York Hilton Midtown.
Chilling CCTV footage obtained by The U.S. Sun shows the moment the masked and hooded shooter approached the CEO from behind and opened fire multiple times.
Thompson did not have security with him at the time despite UnitedHealth Group having an in-house security team.
Following the killing, the suspect calmly got on a nearby e-bike and jetted toward Central Park.
He was last seen on Central Park Drive, which is right outside the park grounds.
Cops have launched a desperate manhunt for the gunman -who remains at large – using drones, helicopters and dogs.
The suspect was caught on CCTV ordering at Starbucks on West 56th and 6th Avenue just two blocks from the scene before the shooting.
Sources claimed he bought coffee, a water bottle and two PowrerBars before the shooting.
He tossed the bottle and coffee cup in a trash can – which cops dug out of the garbage and now have as evidence.
Investigators also found a phone in an alley near the scene which believe belongs to the gunman.
They have obtained a search warrant to go through the contents of the phone.
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.”
Police offered a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest.
New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said that while investigators had not yet established a motive, the shooting was no random act of violence.
Thompson had been in New York City since Monday, and detectives are investigating how the shooter was able to track his movements.
However, it was public knowledge that he would host the event, and he was expected to announce that the company was looking forward to a profitable 2025.
Thompson was the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, which is a division of UnitedHealth Group. He was appointed to this position in April 2021.
Before becoming CEO, Thompson held various leadership roles within UnitedHealth Group, including positions in finance and operations.
It has emerged that Thompson was one of the senior executives at the company investigated by the Department of Justice.
