A man from upstate New York was charged on Wednesday for allegedly leaving a menacing voicemail for the wife of Brian Thompson, the murdered CEO of UnitedHealthcare. This incident occurred just hours after the tragic event unfolded on a midtown sidewalk.
The suspect, 40-year-old Shane Daly from Saratoga County, left several inappropriate voicemails on the woman’s phone in Minnesota, expressing a twisted excitement over Thompson’s murder. In one of the messages, he stated that Thompson’s actions “benefited from the backs of poor Americans,” which is, well, quite unsettling.
Daly admitted during questioning by FBI agents that he had been drinking at the time of the calls. Interestingly, just minutes later, he made alarming comments about Thompson’s children, suggesting they “deserve to die.”
Though prosecutors referred to the voicemail recipient as “Victim 1,” the messages were directed to Paulette Thompson. In one voicemail, Daly sarcastically critiqued her statement about her husband, who he described as “an incredibly loving, generous, and talented man.” Yet, the tone of his messages was mocking, as he laughed at her expression of grief.
On the night of December 7, while mourning had just begun for Thompson’s family, Daly left another voicemail where he cruelly stated that Thompson “deserves to die,” according to court documents.
The FBI was able to identify Daly after they linked his voice to the disturbing messages. He initially denied making the calls, but later acknowledged he might have done so while under the influence.
If convicted of felony cyberstalking, Daly could face a maximum of five years in prison. He made his initial court appearance on Wednesday in Albany, but details on whether he entered a plea remain unclear as his attorney has not commented yet.
Additionally, Luigi Mangione, 27, has been charged with the murder of Brian Thompson, which prosecutors are describing as a targeted “terrorist act.” Mangione allegedly shot Thompson at point-blank range during the UnitedHealthcare’s annual Investors Council event.
He has pleaded not guilty.
Christopher Raia, who oversees the FBI’s New York office, expressed concern over the ongoing harassment faced by Thompson’s family, calling it a “terrifying” situation following a violent death. The FBI is committed to bringing those who harass innocent individuals to justice, as emphasized in a joint statement by U.S. attorneys involved in the case.
