Cryptic message on bullets that killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson reference 2010 book written on how insurance companies deny claims, with the shooter motivated by a grudge against insurance company.
It has now been revealed that the cryptic words, ‘depose,’ ‘deny’ & defend’ scrawled on the bullets used to kill UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson closely reference the title of a 2010 book criticizing insurance companies and the tactics they use to deny claims.
Health insurance boss Brian Thompson, 50, was shot in the back and calf early on Wednesday by a masked man who had been waiting for him outside the Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan, before succumbing to his injuries in hospital.
At the time of the shooting, the UnitedHealthcare CEO had been scheduled to take part of an investor conference later that morning.
Detectives investigating the shooting reportedly found shell casings with the words ‘depose’, ‘deny’ and ‘defend’ inscribed on them.
They are now working to determine what the words mean and if they could possibly hint at a motive for the slaying of the insurance boss.
Of intrigue, the cryptic messages closely resemble the title of a 2010 book on ‘why insurance companies don’t pay claims and what you can do about it’, called ‘Delay, Deny, Defend’ authored by Jay M. Feinman.
One noted difference is that the book has ‘delay’ in its title, whereas one casing reportedly had ‘depose’ on it.
Critics allege the tactic is used by insurance companies to ‘ensure your claim is either never paid or paid at a rate far below what you deserve’.
The revelation came as Mr Thompson’s grieving widow, with whom he has two sons, claimed that her husband had received threats before he was shot.
‘There had been some threats,’ Paulette Thompson, 51, told NBC News commenting on her husband’s slaying.
‘I don’t know details. I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him before his trip to New York,’ she told the outlet.
The widow said police told her that they believed the shooting was a ‘targeted attack’.
Surveillance footage showed the gunman approach Brian Thompson several feet from behind and shooting, causing him to awkwardly fall.
The gunman continued to fire multiple shots, at one stage, jamming his gun, while managing to quickly clear the obstruction and continue firing.
Police sources close to the investigation told CNN that they believe the shooter was an experienced marksman based on his reactions.
Firearms experts who studied the surveillance footage told the outlet that he reacted in the way someone with training from law enforcement or military would be trained to react to such an issue.
After the assailant fled the scene, Thompson was rushed to Mt Sinai Hospital in critical condition, where he was later pronounced dead.
To date, authorities have yet to identify the suspect or make any arrests.
Police said they found three live 9mm rounds and three discharged 9mm shell casings, as well as a cellphone, at the scene.
Online commentators were quick to point that the words found on the casings resembled insurance terminology and tactics the dailymail reported.
United is the biggest health insurer by market share in America. They have been the subject of protests by activists for allegedly systematically denying care for patients.
Thompson is understood to have been in New York for a conference when he was shot.
His schedule was widely known, and witnesses have said the suspected gunman even knew which door Thompson was going to emerge from before opening fire.
Officials have yet to establish a motive in the killing but sources told ABC 7 they are investigating a possible grudge against the insurance company.
