UnitedHealthcare CEO’s alleged killer revealed after hostel clerk's flirty request

UnitedHealthcare CEO’s alleged killer revealed after hostel clerk’s flirty request led to surveillance footage.

The manhunt for the killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson took a crucial turn after a hostel clerk unknowingly helped authorities identify the suspected shooter.

In a surprising twist, the clerk, working at the HI New York City Hostel, had a brief flirty exchange with the suspect when he checked in. According to the clerk, she asked the man to lower his mask as part of their interaction, allowing security cameras to capture a clearer image of his face. This image was later released by the NYPD as part of their ongoing search.

The suspect had arrived in New York on November 24 aboard a Greyhound bus from Atlanta. After checking into the hostel using a fake New Jersey driver's license and paying in cash, he was observed moving around the city before the shooting. Surveillance footage later showed the suspect heading toward the Hilton Hotel on the morning of Thompson’s shooting, where he waited and ambushed the CEO outside.

Authorities are still working to track down the assailant, who fled the scene on foot and disappeared into Central Park on an electric bike. The weapon used in the killing is reportedly a modern version of a rare World War II gun, with shell casings found at the scene inscribed with phrases like “deny,” “defend,” and “depose.”

As the investigation unfolds, the NYPD continues to search for the killer, who is believed to be an experienced marksman based on his precise actions. The details surrounding the crime, including the killer’s preparation and knowledge of Thompson’s schedule, suggest a targeted attack rather than a random act of violence.