Paulette Thompson wife of UnitedHealthcare CEO shot dead in Manhattan said her husband, Brian Thompson had received recent threats, intimating lack of coverage.
The wife of slain health insurance CEO Brian Thompson said Wednesday that her husband had been getting threats before he was gunned down in Midtown Manhattan, early Wednesday morning ahead of an investor’s conference.
‘There had been some threats,’ Paulette Thompson told NBC News in a phone interview following the 50 year old executive’s shooting murder just on 6.45 am in front of the Hilton Hotel on 54th and 6th ave.
‘Basically, I don’t know, a lack of coverage?’ the Maple Grove, Minnesota based wife told the outlet, referring to her 50-year-old husband’s role as CEO of UnitedHealthcare’s insurance division.
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Were threats against UnitedHealthcare CEO related to his shooting murder?
‘I don’t know details. I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him,’ Thompson’s wife reiterated.
While Paulette Thompson did not elaborate on the nature or source of these threats, she emphasized that Brian had shared his concerns with her in private conversations.
‘He mentioned feeling uneasy recently, but he didn’t let it show much,’ she said. ‘I never thought it would escalate to this.’
Added the distraught spouse, ‘I can’t really give a thoughtful response right now. I just found this out and I’m trying to console my children,” she said, confirming that police had told her it is believed to have been a “targeted attack.’
Brian Thompson, 50, according to an updated press conference was shot in the back and his leg early Wednesday by a masked man who was waiting for him outside the Hilton hotel as he headed to an investor’s conference.
He was rushed in critical condition to Mt. Sinai Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, police said.
Suspect remains at large
NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny addressed speculation if the slaying had been targeted.
‘The motive for this murder currently is unknown, but based on the evidence we have so far, it does appear that the victim was specifically targeted, but at this point we do not know why,’ Kenny told reporters. ‘This does not appear to be a random act of violence.’
‘Every indication shows that this is a premeditated, preplanned, targeted attack,’ NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch told reporters.
The suspect was described as a white male wearing a cream-colored jacket, black face mask, and black and white sneakers. Officials said he was also carrying a grey backpack.
The suspect fled on foot and later boarded an electric Citibike and rode into Central Park.
No arrests have been made. Crime Stoppers is offering a $10,000 reward for information.
