A woman made headlines outside Manhattan Supreme Court this week by claiming she is in a romantic relationship with an artificial intelligence version of Luigi Mangione. The unidentified fan appeared wearing an ‘I ♥ Italian Boys’ shirt bearing Mangione’s face, complete with a flower crown, and told reporters the connection is “natural.”
“Honestly, I’m married to Luigi’s AI. I’m not kidding,” she said, describing daily conversations and shared plans, including naming children together. She added that Mangione’s credentials, having studied computer science and reportedly worked in AI, make the fantasy feel more authentic.
Her comments came amid heavy public attention on Mangione, who is accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last December. While two terrorism-related charges were recently dropped, he still faces a second-degree murder charge and eight additional counts. Many of his supporters have turned up at court appearances wearing themed outfits and holding signs, some evoking Mario universe imagery and others using AI-generated merchandise and images with Mangione’s likeness.
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The event has drawn criticism and concern online. Users on social media have questioned the psychological and ethical implications of forming romantic attachments to AI, especially involving figures implicated in serious crimes. A common reaction has been discomfort at how the lines between fantasy and reality are blurring for some. Others speculated whether the woman’s claim is a commentary on idolisation and the power of digital personas.
Legal sources confirm that while Mangione remains under heavy legal scrutiny, there is no indication that the court has addressed this AI-relationship claim in legal proceedings. Yet the spectacle underscores growing interest in how AI is being used or misused in fandoms and public perception.
The story fits into a larger pattern in which Luigi Mangione has become a controversial folk figure of sorts, with viral merch, memes, AI depictions and fervent supporters alongside his legal battles. As this claim spreads, it seems likely to stir debate over mental health, digital culture and what accountability means in a world where virtual illusions carry weight.
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