Federal prosecutors say 27-year-old Luigi Mangione, charged in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Midtown Manhattan, once told friends about a violent encounter with transgender women while traveling in Thailand.

According to a report from the New York Post, Mangione allegedly described incidents from his backpacking trip across Asia in WhatsApp messages, including one where he claimed he was “beaten up by seven ladyboys,” using a slang term for transgender women.

He reportedly sent friends a photo of a bruised arm following the altercation.

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Mangione, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, has pleaded not guilty to both state and federal charges stemming from the December 2024 killing of Thompson.

The UnitedHealthcare CEO was shot outside an investor conference in Manhattan in what authorities have described as a deliberate attack.

The Justice Department has confirmed that it is pursuing the death penalty in the case.

Prosecutors allege that Mangione acted with premeditation and was in possession of a firearm during the killing.

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The shooting, which occurred outside UnitedHealthcare’s event headquarters, drew national attention both because of Thompson’s high-profile position and due to online reactions from users who appeared to celebrate the attack.

Federal investigators have since been monitoring social media activity linked to the case.

Mangione is scheduled to return to federal court on December 5, though no trial date has been set.

Court documents indicate that he remains in custody as the Justice Department continues its investigation into potential motives and mental health concerns.

While prosecutors have not confirmed whether the alleged incident in Thailand will be introduced as evidence, federal sources told the Post that investigators consider the WhatsApp messages relevant in establishing Mangione’s behavioral history.

Luigi Mangione was involved in a physical altercation with a group of transgender women, referred to by Mangione with the colloquial and often derogatory term “ladyboys,” in Thailand during his backpacking trip through Asia. The incident allegedly occurred months before he is… pic.twitter.com/bQldbYWSz5

— josette caruso (@josettecaruso) October 22, 2025

Authorities described him as exhibiting erratic tendencies in the months leading up to the killing, citing multiple reports of volatile behavior and disturbing messages recovered from his devices.

The federal indictment charges Mangione with premeditated murder and weapons violations.

If convicted, he could face either the death penalty or life imprisonment.

Prosecutors are also examining the timeline of his movements in the days before the attack, including surveillance footage and digital evidence obtained from his phone and laptop.

According to the Justice Department, the shooting appeared to be targeted and planned in advance.

Federal officials have not disclosed a specific motive but have confirmed that the attack was not random.

UnitedHealthcare released a statement following Thompson’s death describing him as a respected leader within the organization and the healthcare industry.

The company has continued to cooperate with investigators and has tightened security protocols at corporate events.

Mangione’s defense attorneys have not commented publicly on the details of the prosecution’s latest revelations.

They previously stated that Mangione maintains his innocence and intends to contest the charges at trial.

The case remains under the joint investigation of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the FBI, and the NYPD.

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