Luigi Mangione to return to New York to face murder charges

The suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO will return to New York to face murder charges after agreeing on Thursday to be extradited.

Luigi Mangione dropped his legal challenge against his extradition during a court appearance in Pennsylvania, where he was arrested last week after five days on the run.

The 26-year-old Ivy League graduate is accused of shooting UnitedHealthcare chief executive Brian Thompson on December 4 outside a Manhattan hotel.

Mangione was handed over to New York Police Department officers on Thursday, who were waiting in the courtroom during the extradition hearing.

Luigi Mangione was arrested at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania. / Credit: Pennsylvania State Police

He was then taken to the airport where he boarded a small plane used by the NYPD, and was bound for the New York area.

Blair County District Attorney Pete Weeks said he wanted to turn Mangione over to New York authorities as soon as possible.

Weeks said he was willing to put the Pennsylvania charges, which include gun and forgery offences, on hold.

“He is now in their custody. He will go forth with New York to await trial or prosecution for his homicide and related charges in New York,” he said.

UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting suspect Luigi Mangione escorted onto New York-bound plane

Mangione has been charged in New York with murder as an act of terrorism and could face life in prison without parole if convicted.

He could appear in New York state court for arraignment on Thursday afternoon or Friday.

Authorities have said Mangione was carrying the gun used to kill Thompson, a passport, fake IDs and about $10,000 when he was arrested on December 9 at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

Mangione was carrying a handwritten letter that called health insurance companies “parasitic” and complained about corporate greed, according to a law enforcement bulletin obtained by The Associated Press last week.