Luigi Mangione, currently facing charges in the death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has connected with a woman named Karen through a series of letters. Karen, aged 66, shared her difficult experience in battling the insurance company for her daughter’s medical care.
In her letter, Karen described her daughter’s diagnosis of complete catatonia in January 2024, which resulted in a 60-day hospital stay within the year. She detailed her daughter’s affliction with a “rare, life-threatening disease that requires constant care and medical treatment.” UnitedHealthcare denied coverage for the necessary treatment, prompting a months-long struggle for Karen to obtain her daughter’s medication. She also vowed to continue fighting in Mangione’s name.
Mangione, 26, responded with heartfelt gratitude. “Your letter is the first to make me tear up,” he wrote. “I am so, so sorry for what you and your daughter so senselessly had to endure.”
He requested that Karen send a photograph of herself and her daughter, as well as a clear image of Jesus, to display in his prison cell alongside her letter. In his letter, he expressed his appreciation for her and her daughter’s resilience, stating, “Your daughter is blessed to have a mother who loves her so much and fights for her so relentlessly.”
Since his arrest in December, Mangione has received thousands of letters from his supporters. He mentioned that he is “overwhelmed by and grateful for everyone who has written me to share their stories and express their support.” While unable to personally respond to each letter, he assured that he reads them all and extended his thanks to all who have taken the time to write.
Mangione is currently held at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center, facing charges of first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder. His next federal court appearance is scheduled for March 19.
