Suspect in CEO Brian Thompson’s Murder Used Fake ID and Cash to Evade Detection, Police Reveal
Police sources revealed that the suspect accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson used a fake ID to book a stay at a hostel in New York City.
Reports indicate the suspect paid in cash to avoid leaving a traceable payment record. The brutal killing occurred in broad daylight, and investigators are piecing together the events leading up to the crime.
Officers were seen leaving the AYH Hostel on Manhattan’s Upper West Side on Thursday, as captured by Fox News Digital. However, it is not clear if the hostel itself is directly tied to the investigation or the suspect’s whereabouts.
The New York Police Department has been actively searching for the suspect since the shooting, which happened early Wednesday morning.
Investigators found a burner phone discarded in an alley near the scene. They are now analyzing the phone’s data and fingerprints left on it, which could provide important leads.
Police are also examining a water bottle found at a nearby Starbucks. DNA from the bottle is being tested to build a profile of the suspect. Like at the hostel, the suspect is believed to have paid in cash at the Starbucks, avoiding credit card records.
The tragic event occurred at approximately 7 a.m. on Wednesday when Brian Thompson was walking on a sidewalk near the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan. Surveillance video shows a masked man calmly approaching Thompson before shooting him and fleeing the area.
Former NYPD inspector and current Fox News contributor Paul Mauro shared his thoughts on the case. He advised caution about rumors suggesting the suspect might be a professional hitman.
Mauro explained that while some people believe the crime appears to be a “hit,” professional killers are rare in real life and are mostly portrayed in movies.
He added that the suspect’s calm behavior and apparent knowledge of the area could indicate planning, but this does not necessarily mean the killing was carried out by a trained professional.
Mauro also mentioned the possibility of the crime being a murder-for-hire, saying that such cases do happen occasionally. However, he stressed that all conclusions at this stage are speculative, and investigators need more evidence before making any definitive statements.
Police continue to work on gathering more clues, using the evidence left behind, including the burner phone, water bottle, and surveillance footage, to track down the suspect. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward to assist in solving the case.
