Healthcare CEO murderer’s copycat arrested in US

Briana Boston allegedly threatened her insurance firm using words from the scene of a high-profile shooting

A Florida woman has been arrested for allegedly threatening an insurance firm that denied her medical claim, using words from the scene of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’ fatal shooting. The suspect, 42-year-old Briana Boston, has been charged with threats to conduct a mass shooting or an act of terrorism, ABC News reported Friday, citing an arrest affidavit.

The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday, when Boston was speaking by phone with a representative from the Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance company, seeking to challenge the firm’s denial of her medical claim. When the representative reiterated that the claim had been denied, Boston allegedly became aggressive, and said “Delay, deny, depose. You people are next.”

The three-word slogan has been making headlines this month, since being found written on bullet shell casings left at the scene of Brian Thompson’s death in New York. The words appear to be a reference to the “delay, deny, defend” strategy some insurance companies have been accused of using when dealing with expensive medical claims – meaning delaying a decision, denying the claim and defending themselves against disputes.

According to police, when questioned, Boston admitted to using the words, but said she did so because “it is what is in the news right now.” She also said insurance companies “are evil” and “deserve karma,” but claimed that she owned no guns and did not plan to carry out her threat. The woman has been charged with a second-degree felony and is currently awaiting trial at a Polk County jail, facing up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

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Brian Thompson was fatally shot outside a Hilton hotel in central Manhattan by a masked, hooded attacker on December 4. A suspect, 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, was apprehended by police five days later with a gun and a silencer “consistent with those used in the murder,” a handwritten manifesto reportedly saying “these parasites had it coming,” along with fake IDs and a face mask.

While no official confirmation has been issued, media reports claim police believe Mangione’s motive for shooting Thompson was the healthcare industry’s treatment of his sick relative. Mangione appeared in a Pennsylvania court on Tuesday and was charged with second-degree murder.

Brian Thompson’s killing has sparked a furore on social media, with US users venting grievances over their own treatment by insurance companies, and posting rejection letters from healthcare firms. Many users have even celebrated Thompson’s suspected killer, offering to contribute to his legal fees.

READ MORE: Why are Americans celebrating this vigilante murderer as a freedom fighter?

The New York Police Department (NYPD) earlier this week warned US healthcare executives of an increased risk to their lives, after finding a number of ‘wanted’ posters featuring their names and personal details across the city and online.