What do you get when you mix a high-profile murder case, an Ivy League education, and social media’s inability to act normal?
Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the UnitedHealthcare CEO’s murder, has managed to take an already shocking crime and turn it into a bizarre internet spectacle. Instead of focusing on the murder, the internet’s busy thirsting over Mangione’s frat-boy charm and uncanny resemblance to Timothée Chalamet. Because, it’s the internet.
An Ivy League Grad Accused of Cold-Blooded Murder
Mangione, a 26-year-old Maryland native, was arrested on December 9 in Altoona, Pennsylvania, after allegedly gunning down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel. Authorities say he acted alone, leaving behind a manifesto blaming the healthcare industry for personal grievances.
At the time of his arrest, the tech-savvy University of Pennsylvania grad was found with a “ghost gun,” silencer, and fake IDs. His manifesto allegedly echoed anti-establishment rhetoric reminiscent of the Unabomber.
Social Media’s Weird Obsession
But here’s the twist: instead of an outrage, social media has taken a detour into thirst territory. Viral posts have turned Mangione into a meme-worthy fixation, with hashtags like #HotSuspect trending. Critics argue this dark humor trivializes the crime, overshadowing the tragic loss of Brian Thompson.
As the case unfolds, one thing’s clear: the internet’s obsession with Mangione proves that when it comes to meme culture, nothing—even murder—is off-limits.
