Luigi Mangione, the infamous suspect in themurderofUnited HealthcareCEOBrian Thompson, was living a seemingly pleasant life before finding himself incarcerated. People who knew him labeled him as an “intelligent,” “reserved,nice kid.”
Born into wealth, Mangione had access to an elite education, a strong support system, and an upbringing free from the hardships that often lead to a life of crime. Yet, despite his privileged background, the alleged “nice” guy turned to radical, criminal actions that have shocked and fascinated the public in equal parts.
His good looks, lack of previous criminal conductor abuse of any kind, and his background have turned him into a public icon against all odds.To the masses, he represents “just retribution” against what they believe to be a money-hungry healthcare system.
What drives someone with so much to lose to cross the line from a decent citizen to a cold-blooded killer? And how does such a person, despite their crimes, become an icon in the eyes of many?
To understand Mangione’s story and the psychological forces at play,Bored Pandaspoke with two seasoned, US-based forensic psychologists,Dr. Franklin CarvajalandDr. Efrain A. Beliz Jr., whose insights shed light on the motivations and public reactions swirling around Mangione’s case.
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“Villain or crusader?” Forensic experts analyzed Luigi Mangione’s psychological profile and the impact he’s having on the minds and hearts of American citizens
Image credits:Pool / Getty
According to Dr. Carvajal, Mangioneis someone who“reasoned his way into anextreme position.”
Thiswasn’t a case of mental illness in the traditional sense, Carvajal stressed. The 26-year-old wasn’t delusional or psychotic. Instead, he developed a belief system rooted ina mixture ofideology, entitlement, a sense of righteousness, and, as the Doctor believes, narcissism.
Image credits:CNN
His manifesto laid bare hisgrievancesagainst the US healthcare system,a systema sizable portion of citizens agree is flawed. Mangione’s frustrations withthedenial ofinsuranceclaims resonated with a public that has long harboreddistrust and angertoward healthcare corporations.
But where most people see injustice and express their angerthrough legal or peaceful means, Mangione saw himself as a hero, a crusader.
Image credits:Jeff Swensen / Getty
“He seems methodical,” Carvajal explained, adding that Mangione’s narcissism played a significant role in his decision to take the law into his own hands. He believed he could exact justice in a way that others couldn’t—or wouldn’t.
“His intentions were pure, in his mind,” says Carvajal. “He felt he was sacrificing himself for the greater good.”
Image credits:Dr. Franklin Carvajal
Dr. Beliz, Deputy Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health’s Emergency Outreach Bureau, suggests that Mangione’s path to criminality could be rooted ina series ofcrises and losses that compounded over time.
“It’s never just one thing,” Dr. Beliz explained.“There’sa combination of psychological, social, andemotional factorsthatcome together in a perfect storm.”
Early theories suggested that Mangione’s grandparents, who passed away in 2013 and 2017, might’ve beendenied healthcare, motivating him to seek revenge. However, their affluent background—leaving at least $30 million to their relatives intheir will—and the fact that neither of themwere insuredat United Healthcare made the idea implausible.
Image credits:PepMangione
For Dr. Beliz, the prime cause of someone resorting to crime is often despair. “When someone feels they have no other alternative, that desperation drives them to act,” he said, explaining how, from his perspective, Mangione does not fit this criteria.
“These parasites simply had it coming,” Mangione wrote in hismanifesto. “Idoapologize for any strife or traumas, but it had tobe done.”
It’s still unclear if any personal events prompted the 26-year-old to carry out the shooting, buttwo things can be inferred.
Image credits:NYPDTips
First,he seemingly didn’t plan to get caught, as among his possessions when arrested were his passport and foreign currency, hinting athiswanting to leave the country. Second,he had a strong ideological conviction that his actions were necessary and that he was meant to spearhead a movement.
“Evidently,I am the first to face it with such brutal honesty,” Mangione wrote.
In his long and illustrious career, Dr. Carvajal has worked with the Los Angeles Superior Court to determine the mental state of hundreds of suspects. His evidence has resulted in people being sent to prison and even killed.
However, Mangione’s case still baffles him, mainly because of the way the public has reacted to it.
Image credits:NYPDnews
One particular aspect caughtthe attention of Dr. Carvajalwhen Mangione appeared in court to declare himselfnot guiltyon December 23.For the expert, that moment sent a message to those in the judicial system that the public might not have been able to get.
“From theinside, they’re sending a message that says, ‘We’re looking out for this guy.’” Dr. Carvajal stated.
Image credits:CBS 12 / WJAC
From his point of view, it was at that moment that the 26-year-old turned from a simple straight-shooter into a symbol for the downtrodden.
“These are criminals who don’t care about anything or anyone, real murderers and psychopaths, yet they groomed him,” he continued. “This is a message you’ll only understand if you’ve worked in prisons and courts.”
Mangione’s physical appearance, impeccable track record, and affluent background have caused the public to believe he acted with “pure intentions.”
Image credits:Pennsylvania Department of Corrections
There’s little doubt of the domino effect that Mangione’s actions have had on the publicat large. Like the straw that broke thecamel’s back, people started rallying behind the man, painting graffiti in his name and publicly declaring their support online.
“The world is watching,” one netizen wrote in one of the many articlesBored Pandaand others have writtenon the subject.
“Villain or crusader?” Dr. Beliz asked. “The desire to leave a lasting impression and a large footprint can inspire others, especially the most marginalized.”
“He doesn’t have the contextual factors people typically associate with criminality,” Carvajal noted. “There are no negative features like race, poverty, or social stigma to pin on him, so some people assume his actions had a noble purpose.”
But while the shooting inspired some people, it terrified others, particularly executives who feel they could fall victim to asimilar attack.
“A lot ofCEOsare extremely anxious, probably thinking they could be next,” Dr. Carvajal pondered. “They’ve been taking down their social media profiles, hiding their identities, and hiring bodyguards.”
“We’re witnessing history,” one netizen wrote, echoing the sentiments of many who feel the case will mark a before-and-after in the country’s collective unconscious
Image credits:UnitedHealth Group
Mangione will remain atSCI Huntington, Pennsylvania’s oldest correctional facility, until his next court appearance in New York, scheduled for February 21. As he awaits trial, his destiny is still up in the air.
“It’s going to come down to the jury,” Carvajal said. “Flesh and blood people. Their own biases could come into play.”
Image credits:DMRegister
For instance, one of the most worrying aspects of the pretrial process, according to the expert, is the factthat US Magistrate Judge Katharine H. Parker, who is overseeing Mangione’s hearings, is married toformer Pfizer executive, Bret Parker.
Others, likeCNNlegal commentator Elie Honig, said that the case carries the “highest risk” ofjury nullificationpreciselydue to the popularityof the 26-year-old.
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