UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was living separately from his wife at the time of his death, according to property records. The couple had been residing in different homes in Maple Grove, Minnesota, for several years before Thompson was shot and killed in New York City.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Brian and Paulette Thompson owned two properties less than a mile apart. In 2020, one home was transferred into a trust under Paulette’s name and the other under Brian’s name. The first house, purchased by Thompson in 2011 for $817,301, includes five bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms with over 5,000 square feet of living space. The second home was bought in 2018 for nearly $1.1 million and offers similar amenities but larger living space.
Jim Pitzner, a neighbor of the Thompsons, told WSJ that Brian frequently traveled before he died on December 4 outside a Hilton hotel in Manhattan. Authorities suspect the killing was “premeditated” as per New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch: “Many people passed the suspect, but he appeared to wait for his intended target.”
Paulette mentioned receiving threats related to medical coverage following her husband’s murder: “Yes, there had been some threats,” she said to NBC News.
Despite these threats, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny stated that Thompson did not have security when traveling: “He left the hotel by himself… didn’t seem like he had any issues at all.”
Thompson faced legal troubles recently due to a lawsuit alleging concealment of an antitrust investigation from shareholders. According to the New York Post, bullets used by the shooter bore messages such as “deny,” “depose,” and “defend.”
Originally from Iowa, Thompson worked with UnitedHealth Group since April 2004 before becoming UnitedHealthcare’s CEO in April 2021.
