A suspected assassin's peculiar tongue movements during his high-profile extradition have sparked widespread speculation on social media.
According to Daily Mail, Luigi Mangione, who is accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, repeatedly pushed his tongue against his cheek during his transfer from Pennsylvania to New York City, leading to theories about potential secret signals.
The 26-year-old Ivy League graduate was extradited to Manhattan on Thursday after waiving his preliminary hearing in Pennsylvania.
His arrival in New York involved a private plane journey followed by a helicopter transfer to downtown Manhattan, where he faced murder charges. The high-security transport drew significant attention, with approximately 700 people tracking the flight path online.
Federal authorities have unsealed new evidence from Mangione's notebook, revealing explicit plans to "wack" an insurance company CEO. The documents show multiple entries detailing his growing animosity toward the health insurance industry and its executives. An August 15 entry specifically noted that "the details are finally coming together" and that "the target is insurance."
Prosecutors highlighted another crucial entry from October 22, where Mangione wrote about an investor conference being a "true windfall" and discussed his intentions. The suspect appeared in Manhattan court wearing casual attire - a white button-down shirt, navy three-quarter zip pullover, and khaki pants - with ankle shackles but no hand restraints.
The case has taken an unusual turn on social media, where some users have expressed support for Mangione, leading to protests outside the Pennsylvania courthouse. Several supporters even dressed as Luigi from Super Mario Bros, while others traveled from as far as California to attend his court appearance.
Mangione now faces multiple serious charges across different jurisdictions. The federal indictment includes charges of murder through the use of a firearm, stalking, and firearms offenses. The murder charge alone could potentially result in the death penalty.
One X user commented about Mangione's gesture:
Luigi, pushing his tongue against his cheek means 'contempt'! Which Means DISRESPECT! He sent a signal to ALL!
During his previous court appearance, Mangione had an outburst directed at reporters, shouting, "This is completely unjust and an insult to the American people."
The suspect will be held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, the same facility where Sean Diddy Combs awaits trial. His defense attorney, Mark Agnifilo, did not request bail during the initial court appearance.
The case of Luigi Mangione exemplifies the intersection of violent crime and social media influence in modern society. The 26-year-old Maryland resident faces prosecution for the December 4 murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in midtown Manhattan.
The investigation continues as authorities examine evidence, including Mangione's notebook entries and surveillance footage from the shooting scene. His next court appearances will determine the trajectory of what has become one of New York's most closely watched criminal cases, with implications extending beyond the immediate charges to broader discussions about healthcare industry tensions and social media's impact on high-profile criminal cases.
