Suspect in New Year’s Day Fire Reportedly Obsessed with Accused Assassin

Prosecutors allege that the man charged with starting a deadly fire on New Year’s Day in Pacific Palisades had an apparent obsession with Luigi Mangione, who is implicated in the assassination of a UnitedHealthcare executive.

Jonathan Rinderknecht was arrested in October 2025 for arson causing property damage, having pleaded not guilty to the charges linked to the January 2025 fire. A recent memo from prosecutors reveals that Rinderknecht’s fixation on Mangione escalated around the time of the fire, describing Rinderknecht as increasingly frustrated with his life and society in general.

In December 2024, shortly before the fire, he reportedly searched for phrases like “Free Luigi Mangione” and “Kill all billionaires” online, demonstrating a troubling mindset, federal prosecutors stated.

Just a few days after the fire, Rinderknecht captured a screenshot of an article where Mangione claimed his innocence.

Prosecutors noted that, during rides he provided as an Uber driver on December 31, 2024, and January 1, 2025, numerous passengers remarked on his erratic behavior and intense rants about his anger towards the world, including frustrations with Mangione and capitalism.

When questioned by investigators about the motivations behind the arson, Rinderknecht reportedly mentioned his resentment towards the rich, even stating, “We are basically enslaved to them,” likening the act of arson to the murders associated with Mangione.

The complaint also mentions Rinderknecht’s emotional turmoil, particularly stemming from difficulties in finding companionship during the holiday season, which may have intensified his anger.

Accusations suggest that after dropping off a passenger in Pacific Palisades on New Year’s Eve, he expressed visible upset. Reports indicate he ignited the fire after parking at a local trailhead, later making a 911 call, supposedly asking if his cigarettes were to blame for the fire.

Prosecutors assert that Rinderknecht is responsible for the Lachmann Fire, which was initially contained but later reignited, leading to the larger Palisades Fire that tragically resulted in the deaths of twelve individuals and displaced numerous people.

Rinderknecht faces multiple charges related to arson and damage to property.