The 26-year-old’s mother believed he was working in San Francisco but she hadn’t heard from him since July 2024.
Kathleen Mangione, Luigi Mangione‘s mother, reported him missing weeks before his arrest on charges related to the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Luigi Mangione poses for a booking photo in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, on December 10, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
On November 18, 2024, Kathleen called the San Fransisco police and told them that she hadn’t spoken to her son for months. Her report reads, “Kathleen stated she spoke to Luigi on 7/1/24, and that Luigi worked for TrueCar at 124 Montgomery, which is permanently closed and the main number disconnected.”
Although she was uncertain about his current residence or routine in the city, she believed he worked for TrueCar, a company based in Santa Monica.
A spokesperson confirmed Luigi left the company in 2023 but did not comment on the mother’s missing person report. Luigi’s LinkedIn profile also indicated he was employed as a data engineer for TrueCar, Inc. However, it’s unclear if he was working remotely.
In a 2015 press release, TrueCar announced an office at 140 New Montgomery St., but whether it is still operational is unclear. In June 2024, a real estate news outlet reported that TrueCar was ending its Santa Monica headquarters lease.
Luigi Mangione is led into the Blair County Courthouse for an extradition hearing in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, on December 10, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Now, more details about Luigi have also come to light, including his relation to a Republican lawmaker in the Maryland state government. Nevertheless, even though Luigi was born and raised in Maryland, he also has ties to San Francisco as he has relatives living there. But, until recently, he resided in Honolulu.
Luigi Mangione is seen in a holding cell after being taken into custody in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on December 9, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
According to the New York Times, Luigi comes from a prominent and influential family in the Baltimore metropolitan area with deep roots in the real estate and business sectors. His grandparents, Nick Mangione Sr. and Mary C. Mangione, purchased and developed the Turf Valley Country Club in Ellicott City during the 1970s.
Over the years, the family expanded their ventures, acquiring Hayfields Country Club in Hunt Valley, Maryland, founding Lorien Health Services, a chain of nursing homes, and owning WCBM-AM, a politically conservative radio station.
On December 9, 2024, Luigi’s family posted a statement on Facebook saying they were “shocked and devastated” by his arrest.
They added, “Unfortunately, we cannot comment on news reports regarding Luigi Mangione. We only know what we have read in the media.” The family also said, “We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved.”
Luigi’s family is reportedly in the dark as he cut off contact with them for six months. He stopped posting on social media over the summer. Luigi would usually share pictures while traveling and review over 300 books he had read but all this stopped six months ago.
Some followers, concerned about his well-being, tagged him on X to let him know that his family, who hadn’t heard from him for months were looking for him. Other users told Luigi he was missed and loved and that they hoped he was okay.
Luigi Mangione after being taken into custody in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on December 10, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
The news of Luigi Mangione’s arrest has surprised the people he grew up with in Maryland. Luigi attended Baltimore’s Gilman School and graduated as valedictorian of his class in 2016.
A former colleague expressed shock at Luigi’s arrest, while Thomas J. Maronick Jr., a family friend, lawyer, and local radio host, remarked that he seemed like the least likely person to face such accusations.
Luigi Mangione gives a farewell speech to the Class of 2016 during commencement at Gilman School | Source: Getty Images
Freddie Leatherbury, a friend of Luigi’s from Gilman, found the case unbelievable and initially thought the news of Luigi’s arrest was a joke when it was first shared with him. Freddie also reflected on the difficulty reconciling the allegations against Luigi with the person he knew eight years ago. He described Luigi as completely unrecognizable from his former self.
However, Freddie expressed that he couldn’t reconcile the person Luigi is alleged to have become with the individual he knew eight years ago, as he seemed completely different. “I would never have anything bad to say about him,” he explained.
Luigi Mangione is led into the Blair County Courthouse for an extradition hearing in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, on December 10, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Another classmate who graduated from Gilman with Luigi shared that they never expected him to be involved in something like this. The classmate described him as a kind, humble person who was always approachable and willing to talk to anyone.
“Really not a problematic kid in high school. He never really got in trouble, wasn’t attention-seeking or anything like that. Just a bright kid with a bright future, is kind of what I thought,” narrated the classmate.
Luigi continued his studies in computer science at the University of Pennsylvania, earning both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering. The classmate noted that it was expected he would follow a typical career path.
“So when we heard about all of this, it came as a huge shock to us, and honestly, like our whole community,” the classmate divulged.
Just like other people who knew Luigi, the classmate heard that his family had been inquiring about his whereabouts. They also recalled hearing that Luigi had undergone back surgery, which caused concern.
However, several people who reached out to him received no response. The classmate hadn’t heard anything about him until the news broke. “Huge shock indeed,” they said.
Luigi Mangione is led into the Blair County Courthouse for an extradition hearing in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, on December 10, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
R.J. Martin, Luigi’s roommate in Hawaii confirmed that he underwent surgery for intense back pain. “He was suffering from a spinal misalign that had been ongoing for quite some time and that something had to do with his care back home. So that always was weighing on him, returning home so that he could see his doctor,” R.J. divulged.
R.J. shared that he and Luigi connected through book club, workouts, volleyball, and yoga classes. While Luigi didn’t talk much about his issues, R.J. was aware they affected him and limited his ability to participate in some activities. However, when Luigi wasn’t in pain, he remained very active.
R.J., who was also the founder of the co-living space Luigi stayed in, mentioned that discussions in the place sometimes touched on topics like capitalism and the healthcare system. However, Luigi didn’t appear upset or angry about any particular issue. He also didn’t recall Luigi ever talking about guns or violence.
R.J. mentioned that he lost touch with Luigi and last communicated with him earlier this year. During that exchange, Luigi shared that he had undergone back surgery and sent a photo of his X-ray, which showed large screws inserted into his spine.
On the book review site Goodreads, Luigi listed books he had read or planned to read about managing chronic back pain. He also shared handwritten notes detailing his workout routine. The routine indicated he was dealing with spondylolisthesis, a condition where a vertebra slips out of place.
Luigi Mangione is led into the Blair County Courthouse for an extradition hearing in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, on December 10, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Now that Luigi is arrested, some online posts have expressed support for him. New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch has commented on the posts stating that the entire incident is an undeniable tragedy. She pointed out that it involved the loss of a father, friend, and family man, while a young individual, now a person of interest, is linked to this devastating homicide.