In a shocking twist to the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, investigators recovered a backpack filled with Monopoly money in Central Park, believed to belong to the elusive gunman. The discovery, along with newly released images of the masked suspect, adds another layer of mystery to a case gripping the city.
The backpack, described as a Peak Design model, also contained a Tommy Hilfiger jacket but no weapon. Authorities suspect it was ditched during the suspect’s escape. The NYPD continues to search for the electric bicycle reportedly used by the assassin to flee the Midtown Manhattan crime scene.
Surveillance images released Saturday provide some of the clearest views yet of the alleged killer. One photo shows the suspect in a medical mask seated in a cab; another captures him stepping out of the vehicle in a dark puffer jacket. Despite these leads, police have yet to identify the man.
Thompson, 54, was gunned down Wednesday morning outside a luxury hotel. Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots just before 7 a.m. The 9mm bullet casings left at the scene bore ominous words like “deny,” “defend,” and “depose,” referencing a controversial book on insurance claim practices.
Investigators believe the attack was meticulously planned. “This was no random act,” an unnamed source told CNN. “The suspect came prepared, and his actions show an unsettling level of precision.”
The killer’s movements have been partially reconstructed. Video footage places him at an uptown bus terminal shortly after the shooting. Police also recovered a burner phone, a Starbucks water bottle with a partial fingerprint, and earlier images of the suspect smiling with his mask down.
“This individual thinks he can hide behind a mask,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams declared at a press briefing. “But let me be clear: We will uncover his identity and ensure justice is served.”
Thompson’s murder marks a chilling escalation of violence in corporate America. As the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, he was at the helm of one of the nation’s largest health insurers. His tenure was not without controversy, with critics accusing the company of prioritizing profits over patients. Still, no clear motive has been established, and authorities remain tight-lipped about potential suspects or leads.
The investigation is now in its fifth day, with police urging anyone with information to come forward. For now, the Monopoly money remains an eerie symbol of a case that has baffled even seasoned detectives.
“This isn’t just a crime; it’s a message,” said former NYPD detective Michael Kane. “The question is, who sent it—and why?”
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