Just hours after UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was gunned down in Manhattan, a man began harassing one of his family members, saying Thompson deserved to die, as did his children.
Shane Daley, 40, of Galway New York, faces cyberstalking charges after federal prosecutors say he left threatening voicemail messages to a member of Thompson's family.
"Daley threatened and harassed a grieving family in the immediate aftermath of a loved one's murder. These selfish, harmful, and callous actions undermine public safety and will not be tolerated," said Jay Clayton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York. "[We] will pursue and prosecute those who seek to intimidate victims and their families."
Thompson was shot and killed Dec. 4 while walking to a meeting in Manhattan. Luigi Mangione, 26, faces state and federal charges in the shooting.
Authorities believe Thompson was specifically targeted and in the aftermath of the killing some expressed frustration with the health insurance industry. In the aftermath of the killing, an Emerson College poll found that only 68% of those surveyed found the killing "unacceptable," The Hill reported. The poll also found more support for the killing among young people, with 24 percent of those aged 18-29 finding the murder "somewhat acceptable" and 17 percent saying it was "completely acceptable."
Several defense funds were established for Mangione with one raising more than $700,000 before the page was taken down.
Prosecutors say that Daley began leaving messages on the day of the killing and continued to do so through Dec. 7. They allege that Daley expressed satisfaction over Thompson's death and how he was killed and also stated that the victim and Thompson's children deserved to meet the same fate.
"The recurrent calls and messages in the days following Brian Thompson's murder were more than callous and cold-hearted harassment – they were threatening and terrified a family already suffering following the violent death of their loved one," said Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's New York Office.
Daley carries a maximum term of 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000.
