Luigi Mangione, 26, is sitting in a New York jail, waiting for trial on charges of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
While behind bars, he got a letter from a mom named Karen, who was fighting to get her sick daughter the care she needed. Her story hit him hard.
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Not long after, his response started spreading everywhere. People shared it, letters of support poured in, and donations flooded his legal defense fund.
What started as a private exchange has turned into something much bigger — a conversation about healthcare, corporate greed, and the broken system that leaves families like Karen’s desperate for help.
Mangione says the mother’s story was the first to make him tear up
“Your letter is the first to make me tear up. I am so, so sorry for what you and your daughter so senselessly had to endure,” Mangione wrote to Karen in a message dated December 29, 2024.
The mother describes her daughter’s rare and life-threatening disease
Karen told journalist Ashley Shelby that she wasn’t sure about reaching out to Mangione but felt like she had to.
“I felt very weird about it,” Karen told Shelby. “Driven by some force that didn’t make sense but couldn’t be ignored.”
She had spent months battling UnitedHealthcare to cover her daughter’s treatment. Her daughter had a “rare, life-threatening disease that requires constant care and medical treatment,” but the insurance company refused to cover it.
She says insurance companies, not doctors, made medical decisions
“What she and I went through as a result of insurance calling the shots rather than the doctors is a horrible story for another time. She is improving, but hardly close to her old self. I refer to UHC as ‘those white collar criminals’ whenever discussing them and vowed to fight for reform for the rest of my life,” Karen told Shelby.
The mother includes a reference to ‘Warrior Jesus’
Karen sent Mangione a blurry picture of the Christ in Majesty mosaic at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. She called it “Warrior Jesus.”
Mangione asks for a clearer photo and promises to put it on his cell wall
“If you are able to send a photo of you/your daughter or the mosaic, it would mean a great deal to me,” Mangione wrote to her. “I will put it up on my prison cell wall next to your letter. Your daughter is blessed to have a mother who loves her so much and fights for her so relentlessly.”
Mangione’s letter spreads fast
Journalist Ashley Shelby, who has been closely following Mangione’s case, published Karen’s letter and Mangione’s response on her Substack. From there, the exchange quickly gained attention, sparking discussions about healthcare and corporate accountability.
Letters of support pour in from all over
“I am overwhelmed by – and grateful for – everyone who has written me to share their stories and express their support. Powerfully, this support has transcended political, racial, and even class divisions, as mail has flooded MDC from across the country, and around the globe,” Mangione said in a statement.
“While I can’t reply to most letters, please know that I read every one that I receive. Thank you again to everyone who took the time to write. I look forward to hearing more in the future.”
His supporters have donated hundreds of thousands
People have been sending lots of money to his legal defense fund, which now sits at $715,651. One donor even gave $30,000.
Supporters pack the courtroom for Mangione
Hundreds of supporters packed a New York courthouse last month for his pre-trial hearing.
“I think what happened was inevitable given the amount of tension” between Americans and the healthcare industry, one New Yorker told The Independent outside the court.
Another person, who traveled three hours from Maryland just to see the reaction to the hearing, said: “Something’s gotta give and that something was Luigi Mangione …. he’s a go-getter.”
A protester from Chicago added: “I think major changes are needed in insurance.” Thompson’s killing “brought a spotlight and a charge to take action against wrongdoing by corporate entities milking as much as they can from normal people.”
He remains in custody awaiting trial
Mangione is still locked up at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center, waiting for his trial. He has pleaded not guilty.
His supporters are standing by him, and his letter to Karen has only fueled the ongoing debate over healthcare in America.
