The murder of Brian Thompson is linked to an anti-insurance book from 2010? Cryptic message about bullets found

UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot Wednesday morning before the company’s big investor meeting. The targeted killing has taken a chilling turn as investigators uncovered a potentially cryptic message about the bullets used in the attack. The suspect, who remains on the run, is believed to have engraved “disturbing” words reminiscent of the language of a 2010 book critical of the insurance industry.

Sinister message found on bullets in CEO Brian Thompson’s assassination

The masked suspect, wearing a “luxury” backpack often used by photographers, reportedly left bullet casings marked “deny,” “depose” and “defend” at the crime scene outside the Hilton Hotel in midtown Manhattan.

Brian Thompson, 50, was shot multiple times and later died from his injuries in the hospital. According to the NY Post, police found three live 9-millimeter cartridges and three fired shell casings outside the New York hotel where Thompson was scheduled to hold an investor conference that morning.

Also Read: Horrifying Photos Show Suspect Pointing Gun at UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson Before Deadly Shooting

Police previously shared surveillance images that showed the suspect using a silencer on a firearm before targeting Thompson, the Minnesota-based CEO of the largest private health insurer in the United States

“Meaning” behind the cryptic message on the balls

The motive behind the killer’s inscriptions remains unclear, as both the suspect’s intent and identity remain unknown as the investigation continues. However, according to POST’s findings, the three words engraved on the bullet casings closely resemble the title of Jay Feinman’s 2010 book, “Delay, Deny, Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don’t Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It.”

Also Read: UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s Wife Reveals He Received ‘Some Threats’ Before Deadly Shooting

The words “delay” and “deny,” along with “defend,” form the central theme of the book. “Today, the game is delay, deny, defend: To improve their bottom lines, insurance companies delay payment of legitimate claims, refuse to pay outright, and defend their claims by forcing plaintiffs to initiate litigation,” an excerpt reads the book. It criticizes the insurance industry, an area in which Thompson has played a leadership role.

There had been no arrests as of Thursday. Initial reports indicate that several pieces of evidence, each containing only one word, were found at the crime scene. Police believe the killer may have wanted to send a specific message. They also found a water bottle and a cell phone, which investigators believe the suspect may have left behind when he fled and which can be used to trace the fingerprints.

According to CNN, a senior police official mentioned that the shooter stopped by a nearby coffee shop about 30 minutes before the murder. Thompson’s wife recently spoke out about the threats the CEO received from “disgruntled customers.” Thompson joined UnitedHealth in 2004. In 2021, he became the company’s CEO.