Cops are yet to confirm a motive for the shock slaying of America's biggest health insurance CEO in New York City - but the killer left behind a trail of overt clues.
The mystery murderer remains on the loose after gunning down UnitedHealthcare boss Brian Thompson early Wednesday morning in Midtown Manhattan.
Ammunition found near the 50-year-old executive's body bore the words 'delay,' 'deny' and 'depose', mimicking a phrase used by insurance industry critics.
Meanwhile, cops found Monopoly money inside the killer's backpack in Central Park. Online sleuths have dug into the message he may have been hoping to convey.
'This money must symbolize the monopoly UHC has created with its over 150 subsidies comprising pharmacies, hospitals, hospice, and insurance,' one Reddit user wrote, prompting widespread agreement from hundreds of others.
'Wait are we sure this ain't Banksy?! The Monopoly money is making this all sound like the greatest performance art of all time...' one person said, joining the clamor of voices noting that the shooter left the board game dollars to send a message.
'He wanted them to find that...' one person said, while another added: 'This dude is taunting the police - not only did he intentionally drop the backpack where they would expect, but he hid it while WANTING it to be found.'
The shooting has exposed mass discontent with the US healthcare system, while bringing UnitedHealthcare's disturbing history of rejecting claims into the spotlight.
The latest images of the alleged killer appear to have been taken inside a taxi which picked him up on 86th Street and Columbus Avenue two minutes after he left Central Park
In February 2022, The Department of Justice moved to block UnitedHealthcare from acquiring healthcare tech company Change Healthcare Inc., saying it would harm competition in commercial health insurance markets.
'Post-acquisition, United would be able to use its rivals' information to gain an unfair advantage and harm competition in health insurance markets,' wrote DoJ at that time.
Just last month, another civil antitrust lawsuit was filed by DoJ along with four attorney generals against UnitedHealth Group (UHG) from acquiring Amedisys Inc. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland stated:
'We are challenging this merger because home health and hospice patients deserve affordable care options.'This incident comes as New York City Mayor Eric Adams implied police might have identified killer but withheld his name stating:
"Let him continue believing he can hide behind mask...we're going reveal who he is bring him justice." NYPD released new photographs describing assassin as white around six feet tall however scarce other details were given except for using rare WWII inspired gun during ambush firing several shots jamming clearing quickly continuing attack before fleeing scene riding electric bike towards central park spotted leaving moments later entering taxi heading out city limits eventually boarding bus less hour post-shooting leaving authorities still searching beyond state lines classifying assassination investigation ongoing meanwhile flags flew half-mast UH headquarters Minnetonka Minnesota following tragic loss survived wife Paulette children residing family home Maple Grove Minnesota