According to his work biography, Thompson, 50, joined UnitedHealth Group in 2004 and served in senior roles with the company’s various businesses before being named CEO of UnitedHealthcare, the company’s insurance arm, in 2021. Based in Minnetonka, Minnesota, UnitedHealth Group is one of the world’s largest companies, ranking at No. 8 on Fortune’s Global 500 list in 2024.
The Associated Press reports that Thompson kept a low profile for his high-level job. He was a University of Iowa alumnus and had started out as a certified public accountant. Earlier this year, The Wall Street Journal reported that the Justice Department had opened an antitrust investigation into UnitedHealth Group, looking into the company’s varied industry acquisitions. It was later reported by Bloomberg that several of the company’s executives, including Thompson, exercised stock options and sold shares before the federal inquiry became public, raising questions about whether the sales were made with prior knowledge of the investigation. UnitedHealth Group’s stock dropped following the news of the Justice Department probe.
Police said they’re currently interviewing Thompson’s family and friends to determine if any threats had been made against him or if he had any known enemies. In an interview with NBC News, Thompson’s wife, Paulette, said her husband had received threats due to his work. “There had been some threats,” she said. “Basically, I don’t know, a lack of coverage? I don’t know details. I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him.”
In a statement, UnitedHealth Group wrote that they were “deeply saddened and shocked at the passing of our dear friend and colleague.”
“Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him. We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. Our hearts go out to Brian’s family and all who were close to him,” the statement read.
