"Is she insinuating that he is a copycat?"- Netizens react as Law and Order: SVU writer recalls similar Luigi Mangione episode 

As Luigi Mangione fights extradition to face the murder charge that has been launched against him in New York, a Law & Order writer has come forward to note the parallels between the former’s alleged attack on Brian Thompson and a show episode. This comes following the death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Thompson, who was allegedly fatally shot by Mangione in New York earlier this month.

In an interview with Vanity Fair, published on December 1, Law & Order writer Wendy Battles recalled that the shooting was eerily similar to the show’s 2002 episode Undercovered. Battles said:

“Noah Baylin [Wendy Battles’ co-writer of the episode] and I exchanged tests. We just both recognized right away that there were parallels.”

Wendy Battles was referring to the episode where fictional insurance company executive Warren Slater was found dead on the streets of Manhattan after being killed by Tony Garcia, the father of a nine-year-old who battled leukemia. In the episode, Garcia murdered Slater after the company executive cast a vote against the child gaining affordable healthcare treatment.

Reacting to Wendy Battles’ comments, one netizen hilariously said:

Although the police have not uncovered the motive behind Thompson’s death, Luigi Mangione’s friend R.J. Martin disclosed to the New York Times on December 9 that the 26-year-old alleged shooter suffered from painful back issues. Martin said, “He said his lower vertebrae were almost like a half-inch off, and I think it pinched a nerve.”

Netizens have since taken to social media to respond to Wendy Battles’ Vanity Fair interview with comments on X reading:

“Sometimes art imitates life, and sometimes life imitates art,” an X user said.

“This is crazy, she predicted it all,” a platform user said.

“Oh those Law & Order streams bout to go,” an internet user said.

NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny also confirmed with CBS News on December 10 that they were aware of Luigi Mangione’s emergency room visit in 2023 and his supposed hatred for the healthcare industry. Meanwhile, other comments online read:

“I KNEW THE WHOLE SITUAYION WAS FAMILIAR,” an X user said.

“The sequel we are living,” a platform user said.

“Oh olivia benson, the queen u areee,” a netizen commented.

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Luigi Mangione admits to working alone in documents found by law enforcement

NBC News reported that Mangione was found with three pages of writing during his arrest. Law enforcement mentioned that the University of Pennsylvania graduate allegedly wrote, “Frankly, these parasites had it coming.”

In another document, Luigi Mangione claimed that he acted alone. He wrote:

“To the Feds, I’ll keep it short, because I do respect what you do for the country. To save you a lengthy investigation, I state plainly that I wasn’t working with anyone. I do apologize for any strife or traumas, but it had to be done.”

Luigi Mangione was charged with one count of murder, two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, one count of second-degree possession of a forged document, and one count of third-degree criminal possession of a firearm.

Mangione was raised in a prominent Maryland family and obtained his Bachelor of Science in engineering and Master of Science in engineering degrees from the University of Pennsylvania. As per NBC News, his most recent address was listed as Honolulu, Hawaii.

A senior law enforcement official told People Magazine that his mother, Kathleen, reported to the San Francisco Police Department that her son was missing on November 18. It was also reported that he had cut off contact with his family and friends six months ago.