UPDATE: Dec. 4, 2024: UnitedHealth addressed the death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in a statement early Wednesday afternoon.
“We are deeply saddened and shocked at the passing of our dear friend and colleague,” the statement reads. “Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him. We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time.”
Dive Brief:
- Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealth’s insurance arm UnitedHealthcare, was fatally shot Wednesday morning in New York City before the start of the healthcare company’s annual investor conference, according to the New York Post and Bloomberg, which cited police sources.
- A masked man who appeared to be waiting for Thompson fired at the executive multiple times outside a Hilton hotel in midtown Manhattan around 6:40 a.m. ET. Thompson, 50, was shot in the chest and transported to Mt. Sinai hospital in critical condition, where he was later pronounced deceased.
- Details of the shooting were confirmed to Healthcare Dive by the New York Police Department, though the NYPD did not confirm Thompson as the victim at this time, citing family notification. No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.
Dive Insight:
UnitedHealth hosted its investor conference on Wednesday, but ended the event early, around 9:10 a.m. ET, with CEO Andrew Witty telling attendees: “We’re dealing with a very serious medical situation with one of our team members and as a result I’m afraid we’re going to have to bring to a close the event today.”
Thompson was with UnitedHealth since 2004 in a variety of insurance and financial leadership roles, including CEO of UnitedHealthcare’s government programs.
The executive had run UnitedHealthcare, one of the largest private insurers in the U.S., since April 2021.
UnitedHealth did not respond to a request for comment.
