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Several conspiracy theories have emerged surrounding Luigi Mangione, who is the prime suspect in the fatal shooting of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Netizens have cited several cryptic symbols, and the number 286 supposedly holds significance in the case.
A popular theory about the number 286 has been that Luigi used the Pokémon character Breloom on his social media banner. While it could just be Luigi's favorite character, many netizens believed there might be a connection or hidden meaning to it.
Netizens also found that the suspected shooter apparently had 286 posts on his X account. The theories further stated that his arrest happened 286 miles from the spot where the shooting took place.
Netizens also noted something called the Denial code 286. As reported by Newsweek on December 13, 2024, this is used whenever a healthcare claim faces rejection for failing appeal guidelines. The constant linking of the number 286 to the case has made several netizens believe there could be some hidden significance.
Posts referring to these have been circulated all across social media platforms.
Luigi Mangione apparently went missing weeks before the fatal shooting of Brian Thompson
In an article published on December 13 by Forbes, it was mentioned that Luigi Mangione's mother had reported him missing. Investigating officers are currently trying to discover his whereabouts when he was missing.
As reported by The San Francisco Chronicle on December 10, Kathy Mangione, Luigi's mother, stated that she had not met him since July 2024. Kathy reported Luigi missing only on November 18, 2024. Authorities couldn't conclude the reason why the family took that long to report the suspected shooter missing.
On the other hand, cops are also trying to discover the exact motive behind the alleged killing of Thompson.
Multiple posts obtained from the suspect's Reddit and Goodreads accounts suggested that he was suffering from extreme back pain. As reported by Forbes, one of Mangione's post reads:
"When my spondy went bad on me last year (23M) it was completely devastating as a young athletic person."
On Thursday, December 12, NYPD’s Joseph Kenny told NBC New York that the suspect's,
"life-changing, life-altering injury... may have put him on this path."
As for the cryptic messages and conspiracy theories dug out by netizens, no official confirmation has been made. Apart from conspiracy theories, authorities have reportedly discovered evidence that could link Luigi Mangione to the crime, as reported by CBS News.
The suspect was allegedly carrying a firearm whose shell casings were found at the crime scene where Thompson was shot to death. They also recovered a manifesto he possessed, expressing his grievances about the American healthcare system.
As per the outlet, authorities also tied Mangione to the crime scene through forensic evidence. Kenny added that they recovered fingerprints, which were also being processed.
Luigi Mangione is currently charged with one count of murder and multiple other charges relating to possession of a firearm, forgery, and giving the police false identification.
