- UnitedHealthcare Brian Thompson, CEO was fatally shot Wednesday in New York.
- The words “deny,” “defend” and “depose” were found on shell casings at the scene, according to reports.
- Authorities are investigating whether the comments were motivated.
Police found the words “deny,” “defend” and “depose” on the bullet casings used to kill UnitedHealthcare executive Brian Thompson on Wednesday in New York, according to reports.
The words were found on shell casings at the scene in Manhattan, and police are investigating whether they indicate the motive for the crime was the insurance company’s response to a claim. ABC News first reported.
An anonymous police source told the Associated Press the words were written in permanent marker.
Thompson’s wife, Paulette, said NBC Wednesday that he had spoken to her about death threats which, according to her, were linked to a “lack of media coverage”.
“There have been some threats,” she told the station. “Basically, I don’t know, a lack of media coverage? I don’t know the details. I just know he said some people were threatening him.”
A UnitedHealthcare spokesperson did not immediately respond to requests for comment on a potential link between the shooting and a coverage denial issue. Paulette Thompson could not be reached by BI for comment.
The words are similar to “delay, deny, defend”, a phrase commonly used by critics of the insurance industry. This refers to insurers who delay paying claims, deny them, and then defend themselves.
There is also a 2010 book, “Delay Deny Defend,” subtitled “Why Insurance Companies Don’t Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It.”
The book’s author, Jay M. Feinman, a law professor specializing in insurance law, torts and contract law, declined a request for comment.
Police are still searching for the shooter. Authorities called the killing a “targeted attack.”
Thompson was shot to death around 6:45 a.m. outside the Hilton Hotel in midtown Manhattan. The shooter fled before police arrived.
UnitedHealthcare is the largest private insurer in the United States, and Thompson was in New York for an investor meeting when he was killed.
The “Investor Day” event was subsequently canceled.