First Watch: The CEO Shooter Appears in NYC & the ‘Jesus’ Killer in Court

Summary

Crime House Daily – "First Watch: The CEO Shooter Appears in NYC & the ‘Jesus’ Killer in Court"

Release Date: September 18, 2025
Host: Katie Ring
Main Focus: Updates on two headline-grabbing active cases: the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson (the "CEO shooter" case) and the triple homicide in Austin, Texas, involving a suspect who claimed he was Jesus.

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Episode Overview

Katie Ring delivers a brisk, detailed rundown of two high-profile and emotionally charged criminal cases. The episode dives into the latest courtroom developments, background, evidence, public reactions, and legal strategies. Katie maintains an informative, no-nonsense tone while incorporating context and moral debate, engaging listeners in the wider societal implications.

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CASE #1: The CEO Shooter – UnitedHealthcare Murder

[02:34] Luigi Mangione’s Court Appearance & Dismissed Charges

• The accused, Luigi Mangione, appeared in Manhattan court, where “a judge tossed out two of the most serious charges against him” ([04:56], Katie).
• No longer facing first and second degree murder as acts of terrorism, due to insufficient evidence.
• Quote:
  "There were three rows of Luigi supporters who came to watch the hearing." ([05:11], Crime House Reporter)

[05:15] The Crime

• Date: December 4, 2024, early morning outside a Hilton hotel in Manhattan.
• Victim: Brian Thompson, UnitedHealthcare CEO, en route to an investor conference.
• Context: UnitedHealthcare embroiled in DOJ antitrust probes, lawsuits over alleged AI-driven claim denials (“NH Predict” algorithm), with devastating patient outcomes.
• Quote:
  "Three words that would give us a clue into the motive behind the murder... Deny, defend, depose." ([00:38], Katie)

[06:45–10:00] The Investigation & Forensics

• The killer, disguised, ambushes Thompson. Shell casings at the scene are etched with “Deny, defend, depose,” referencing insurance company practices.
• Surveillance footage identifies a man with a dark jacket and gray backpack, seen waiting for Thompson. Suspect checks out of a hostel, buys supplies at Starbucks, positions himself for the hit.
• Initial suspect name, Mark Rosario, found to be an alias.

[10:30–12:00] Public Reaction

• Case explodes on social media. Unlike typical murder cases, significant portions of the public are apathetic or even celebratory about the attack, citing anger at the insurance industry.
• Quote:
  "Comments under posts read: 'Thoughts and deductibles to the family.' 'Unfortunately, my condolences are out of network.'" ([11:24], Katie)

[12:00–13:00] Flight & Capture

• The killer evades NYPD for days, fueling speculation about professionalism, motives, and background.
• Break in the case: a McDonald's customer in Altoona, PA, recognizes the suspect, calls 911 ([12:42]).
• Arrest: In possession of fake IDs, a 3D-printed ghost gun and silencer, and a three-page manifesto against megacorporations.

[14:15] Suspect Background & Motive

• Quote:
  "His family is super wealthy, he'd gone to an Ivy League university, and he was even valedictorian of his high school in Baltimore." ([14:15], Katie)
• Manifesto details:
  "I do apologize for any strife and trauma, but it had to be done and these parasites had it coming." ([15:20], Luigi Mangione’s document as relayed by Katie)

[15:30–17:30] Legal Proceedings & Defense

• Charges: Multiple felonies across Pennsylvania and New York; facing life without parole, plus federal charges (stalking, murder through use of a firearm) eligible for the death penalty.
• Quote:
  "In one of her first Instagram posts as Attorney General of the United States, Pam Bondi announces that she has directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty." ([16:53], Katie)
• Mangione pleads not guilty on all counts. Granted access to a laptop (no internet) for case prep in custody.

[18:42] Prosecutorial Controversies & Motive Claims

• Defense alleges Manhattan DA improperly accessed Mangione’s private medical records; disputes ensue over whether this was a clerical error or a constitutional violation.
• Prosecution argues Mangione actively seeks to inspire copycats:
  "Simply put, the defendant hoped to normalize the use of violence to achieve ideological or political objectives." ([18:55], Prosecutors’ filing as read by Katie)

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CASE #2: The 'Jesus' Killer – Austin Target Shooting

[20:57] Arrest & Overview

• Ethan Nenecker, 32, charged with the murder of three people in Austin, Texas, on August 11, 2025; faces the death penalty.
• Held on $3.4 million bond; charged with capital murder ([21:03], Katie).

[21:44–22:55] The Shooting

• Scene: Target store parking lot, busy afternoon.
• Victims:
  • Rosa Martinez Machuca, 24, Target employee shot while collecting carts.
  • Adam Chow, 65, and his granddaughter (age 4)—shot inside their parked 4Runner.
  • Chow’s wife injured but survived; carried her granddaughter’s body from the scene.

[22:55–24:10] The Escape & Bizarre Behavior

• Nenecker flees in the stolen 4Runner, attempts multiple vehicle thefts, ends up ditching vehicles and behaving erratically.
• Throws a brick through a Bible study acquaintance’s window; discards clothes, emerges nude, clutches a Bible, is ultimately tasered and taken into custody by police ([24:10]).

[24:15–26:12] Motive, Mental Health, and Background

• In the hospital, Nenecker confesses:
  "He just says that he'd killed the victims because he is Jesus." ([25:08], Katie)
• History of violence: domestic violence, DUI, violation of protective orders, prior mental health issues (no specific diagnosis given).
• Authorities order a mental evaluation and consider pursuing charges against the family member who supplied the gun.

[26:40–27:50] Legal and Social Fallout

• Nenecker faces eight charges; could face the death penalty.
• Social media posts under examination for warning signs.
• City of Austin rattled, officials probe how someone with violent history slipped through the cracks.
• Quote:
  "Officials are left wondering how someone with such an extensive history of violence and mental illness could have slipped through the cracks." ([27:23], Katie)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [00:38] Katie, on the shell casings:
  "Deny, defend, depose. Those were the three words written on the shell casings found at the scene of the murder."
• [05:15] Katie, setting the scene:
  "Let’s get into all begins on the quiet early morning of December 4, 2024, outside a Hilton hotel in Manhattan…"
• [11:24] Katie, on social media's reaction:
  "Comments under posts read: 'Thoughts and deductibles to the family. Unfortunately, my condolences are out of network.'"
• [15:20] The alleged shooter's manifesto:
  "I do apologize for any strife and trauma, but it had to be done and these parasites had it coming."
• [16:53] On federal prosecution:
  "Pam Bondi announces that she has directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty."
• [18:55] From prosecutors’ filing:
  "Simply put, the defendant hoped to normalize the use of violence to achieve ideological or political objectives."
• [25:08] On Nenecker’s confession:
  "He just says that he'd killed the victims because he is Jesus."

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Key Timestamps

• 00:09 – Mangione pleads not guilty in NY court
• 04:42 – Case background and detailed recounting of CEO shooting
• 10:30 – Public polarizes over killer’s motives and victim’s company
• 12:42 – Break in case, arrest in Altoona, Pennsylvania
• 14:15 – Mangione’s privileged background revealed
• 16:53 – Death penalty announced in federal filing
• 18:42 – DA accused of improperly accessing medical records
• 20:57 – Ethan Nenecker’s arrest and overview of Austin shooting
• 22:55 – Details of Nenecker’s escape, bizarre behavior, and arrest
• 25:08 – Confession and mental health context

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Conclusion & Call to Action

• Both cases highlight ongoing debates about justice, mental health, the death penalty, and rage at systemic failures.
• Katie encourages listener engagement:
  "What do you guys think? Our two stories today both include suspects who could potentially face the death penalty. We know it's a hotly debated topic. In the meantime, make sure to drop your facts, theories or anything in the comments. I want to hear it all." ([27:53])
• Promises updates on major cases, inviting listeners to follow, discuss, and help steer coverage.

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For ongoing updates, listeners are invited to follow the podcast’s social media and subscribe to ad-free/video content.

Transcript

[Mike or Alyssa]

This is Crime House.

[Katie]

The man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has just pleaded not guilty in New York State court.

[Crime House Host or Commentator]

Hear me on this. He is no hero. The real hero in this story is the person who called 911 at McDonald's this morning.

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This morning, alleged killer Luigi Mangione is ratcheting up his accusations that prosecutors at the Manhattan District Attorney's office knowingly and inappropriately violated his rights by viewing his private medical records.

[Katie]

Deny, defend, depose. Those were the three words written on the shell casings found at the scene of the murder. Three words that would give us a clue into the motive behind the murder. Hi, I'm Katie, a true crime analyst, self defense instructor and and fierce advocate for victims. And this is Crime House Daily, your essential true crime companion. Every weekday, morning and night here at Crime House Daily, we will be taking an investigative approach to true crime. We will stay on the cases and trials making headlines now where justice is still in motion, arrests are still being made, and where new evidence is still coming to light. Every morning we'll make sure you're up to speed on today's biggest crimes with our first Watch episodes. And every night we go deeper with our night Watch episodes. If you want to follow a case from the first 911 call to the final verdict, you're in the right place. Make sure to follow Crime House Daily wherever you get your podcasts. Leave a review, hit five stars. And for ad free listening, subscribe to Crime House plus or on Apple Podcasts. For video content, head to our YouTube channel, Rimehouse Daily. This episode discusses active criminal cases and breaking news. The information we share is based on what's publicly available at the time of recording and may change as new evidence comes to light. We aim to inform, not to decide guilt or innocence and everyone mentioned as presumed innocent until proven guilty in the court of law. Today we are covering two major cases in the news.

[Crime House Reporter]

The first is a breaking news development.

[Katie]

In a case that took the nation.

[Crime House Reporter]

By storm last year. Luigi Mangione appeared in a Manhattan court just this week where a judge dismissed.

[Katie]

Two of the most serious charges against him. The Crime House team is here to break it all down for you. The second case brings us down to Austin, Texas, where a 32 year old shooter claiming to be Jesus awaits his next court date.

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[Katie]

Before I get into our main stories, I want to talk about a couple cases that got my attention just now. A North Carolina elections official was arrested after surveillance footage captured him putting narcotics into his granddaughter's ice cream. Police have not shared a possible motive, but we'll definitely keep our eye on this one. The headline alone is so bizarre and disturbing I need more answers. Over In Utah, a 33 year old man has just been charged with the murder of his girlfriend. He is suspected of locking her and her dog in a storage unit and trapping them in as the fire broke out. He's adamant it was an accident, but prosecutors feel like something is off. People are currently split on whether or not he is telling the truth, but the Crime House team will be on standby for updates as we await trial. We start the story with breaking news.

[Crime House Reporter]

About a case that blew up last December. Just this week, Luigi Mangioni, the man accused of shooting and killing United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, appeared in a Manhattan court.

[Katie]

A judge tossed out two of the most serious charges against him and ruled that there wasn't enough evidence to charge him with first and second degree murder as acts of terrorism. There were three rows of Luigi supporters.

[Crime House Reporter]

Who came to watch the hearing. So where did it all begin?

[Katie]

Let's get into all begins on the quiet early morning of December 4, 2024 outside a Hilton hotel in Manhattan just a few blocks away. New Yorkers are gearing up for the annual tree lighting at rockefeller Center. But 50 year old UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has something else on his mind. He is about to walk into the company's annual investor conference. Brian is up early and leaves the Hilton Hotel around 6:45am to head to the conference. Despite the fact that UnitedHealth Group was on track to achieve a record breaking year, they were still facing a few problems in the months leading up to Thompson's death. Thompson and other UnitedHealth executives were facing antitrust investigation by the Department of Justice. Lawsuits were filed alleging that Thompson and other executives sold millions in stock options before the probe was made public. They were also facing a lawsuit by the families of two elderly men who alleged that this insurer had an AI algorithm to deny and override claims to elderly patients that had been approved by their doctors. The algorithm in question, known as NH Predict, allegedly had a 90% error rate. And according to the families of the two deceased men who filed the suit, UHC knew it. Moments after Brian steps out of his hotel, CCTV captured a man in a hooded jacket and face mask approaching him from behind. He pulls out a gun and shoots him multiple times in the back and leg. Brian Thompson collapses and is found lying on the ground and gets rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital where he's pronounced dead at 7:12am Then the shooter takes off on foot before grabbing an electric bike and vanishing into Central Park. Within hours, a multi agency manhunt is underway. Investigators speak to Brian's colleagues and loved ones, analyze the crime scene and sift through surveillance footage. Quickly it becomes clear that the shooting was planned. Planned? Brian's wife and the mother of his two kids, Paulette, tells authorities that he'd been receiving threats. Brian never told her specific details about the threats, but it seemed like they may have been from customers who were angry about their insurance coverage. But what really tips them off to the fact that this was a targeted attack are the words found on the shell casings at the crime scene. Deny, defend, depose. When this detail is released, many people believe it is a reference to the 2010 book delay. Deny why insurance companies don't pay claims, and what you can do about it. These words send a bold message that echo the predatory practices of some insurance companies. Practices that have resulted in the denial of coverage for millions of Americans, leaving them drowning in debt or worse, dead. Detectives use security footage to trace the shooter's movements around the Hilton in the hours leading up to the crime. Based on footage from outside the hotel, they know they're looking for a slim young man in a dark hooded jacket and a gray backpack. They soon discover that the suspect had been staying at a hostel, which he left around 5.30am Around 6:15, he stopped at a Starbucks to grab a water bottle and granola bars. He then wandered the area for about 25 minutes before arriving across the street from the Hilton. Finally, he stood on the corner and waited until he spotted Brian Thompson coming out of the hotel around 6:45am Detectives head to the hostel hoping that they might have a name. And they do. The suspect's name is Mark Rosario. But after running his name through their database, they quickly realize it's just an alias. They are back to square one. So they decide to ask for assistance from the public and share the stills from security footage in hopes that someone recognizes the suspect. But after the public starts learning the details of this case and who the victim is, something unexpected happens. The news explodes on social media, and it quickly becomes apparent that most people are completely apathetic. And an even larger number view his actions as justified. His message and his target even make him a hero to some. Comments under posts Read thoughts and deductibles to the family. Unfortunately, my condolences are out of network. Others told personal stories of loved ones who were denied coverage and passed away because they couldn't receive care. Some claim that the CEO was the one with blood on his hands because numerous people have died as a result of their company prioritizing the bottom line over people's lives. The suspect leaves another clue for the NYPD that sparks even more debate. It's a backpack filled with Monopoly money and and a Tommy Hilfiger jacket. Despite the clue, the NYPD still doesn't have much to go on except a few CCTV screenshots that many question are not even the same person. The suspect completely evades the nypd, sparking even more speculation and lore. Who is this guy? Is he a hitman? Is he a vigilante? Is he ex military? In the security footage, you see his gun jam, and he handles it like a professional and takes his target down with only three shots. It's been days, and the NYPD still hasn't found him. On December 9, five days after the shooting, they finally get a lead. A customer at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania, almost 300 miles from New York, notices a man who looks a lot like the suspect. He's sitting at the back table on a laptop, wearing a beanie and a face mask. And he's carrying a gray backpack that looks just like the killer's. The customer alerts an employee, who then calls 911. When Pennsylvania State Police arrive at the scene, the man is still there. Officers quickly apprehend him and search his backpack. And they find numerous pieces of incriminating evidence. He's carrying multiple fake IDs, including a new Jersey driver's license with the name Mark Rosario. They also find a 3D printed gun, also known as a ghost gun. It doesn't have a serial number, which is illegal. And there's also a 3D printed silencer, which explains why many people didn't hear the shots fired that day. Finally, officers find a three page handwritten document railing against American megacorporations, corporations like UnitedHealthcare. The officers are Certain this was a shooter from New York. They take him into custody and explain that he's under investigation. That's when he admits his name isn't really Mark Rosario. It's Luigi Mangione. And it won't be long until it's all over the news.

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[Katie]

Investigators start digging into 26 year old Luigi Mangione's history and are pretty surprised to learn that his background doesn't exactly scream criminal. His family is super wealthy, he'd gone to an Ivy League university, and he was even valedictorian of his high school in Baltimore. They know that the key to understanding Luigi's potential motive is in that three page document. Some of the most notable lines say things like, quote, I do apologize for any strife and trauma, but it had to be done and these parasites had it coming. It's these kinds of ideas that deepen the rift in public opinion towards Luigi Mangione. Some people think this anger at the uber wealthy is understandable. But others feel strongly that vigilante justice shouldn't be tolerated. And that even if Luigi's anger was justified, killing Brian Thompson certainly wasn't. But no matter what anyone personally thinks, the fact is Luigi Mangione is accused of some very serious crimes in Pennsylvania. He's charged with forgery, carrying a firearm without a license, presenting false identification to law enforcement, and possessing instruments of crime. He doesn't enter a plea and is held without bail until he is extradited. To New York on December 19, 10 days after his initial arrest. There, he faces 11 more counts, including first degree murder as an act of terrorism, which alleges that Mangioni killed Brian Thompson to intimidate or coerce a group of people and influence government policy by intimidation or coercion, as well as secondary murder, multiple weapons charges, and possession of a forged instrument, which had to do with the fake IDs. As we mentioned earlier, those first and.

[Crime House Reporter]

Second degree murder charges were just tossed out.

[Katie]

And his next court appearance is on December 1st. This time, Luigi pleads not guilty on all of the New York charges. For these crimes, he's facing life in prison without parole. But soon, he's confronted with an even harsher possibility. Around the same time the New York State indictments are filed, Luigi catches federal charges and including stalking and murder through use of a firearm, which makes him eligible for the death penalty. In one of her first Instagram posts as Attorney General of the United States, Pam Bondi announces that she has directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty. In April of 2025, Luigi pleads not guilty to all of the federal charges as well. His lawyers want that trial to be held first, since it runs the risk of capital punishment. It seems like it will happen in 2026 at the earliest, but it will be a while before we know for sure. Luigi's most recent hearing took place on August 5, 2025. And during that hearing, he was granted access to a laptop while in federal custody. He doesn't have Internet access, but he'll be able to review documents related to his case in order to help with his own defense. And a couple weeks after that, on August 20th, Luigi's lawyers claimed prosecutors with the Manhattan DA's office improperly accessed his private medical records during their investigation. The significance of this is still unclear, but it's being taken extremely seriously. His team is considering a range of options from seeking to suppress the evidence, get the prosecution to recuse themselves, or even have the indictment dismissed altogether. But prosecutors claim that this was just a clerical error on Aetna's side and that it is not their fault that they had sent these personal documents alongside their requests for proof of coverage. Also on Aug. 29, prosecutors argued in a filing that Luigi possesses a threat to the public because he is actively seeking to influence others to follow in his footsteps. Prosecutors wrote in the document that, quote, simply put, the defendant hoped to normalize the use of violence to achieve ideological or political objectives. Since the murder, certain quarters of the public who openly identify as acolytes of the defendant have increasingly begun to view violence as an acceptable or even necessary substitute for reasoned violence. Political disagreement. In the meantime, we'll be right back with a rapidly developing story. This one's about a sudden fatal shooting just one month ago that left three people dead. The alleged killer is in custody, but what was his motive?

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[Katie]

Roughly a month ago, 32 year old.

[Crime House Reporter]

Ethan Nenecker was arrested in Austin, Texas.

[Katie]

He's accused of murdering three people and a host of other crimes related to the event. As we speak, Ethan is being held on a $3.4 million bond. As the proceedings against him move forward, prosecutors have charged him with capital murder, which means he could face the death penalty in Texas. So let's get into it. On the afternoon of August 11, 2025, back to school. Shopping is in full swing and shoppers are buzzing around a Target store in Austin, Texas. Outside, families load up the trunks of their cars while employees quickly collect shopping carts.

[Crime House Reporter]

One of those employees is 24 year old Rosa Martinez Machuca. Rosa has a reputation as a hard worker who always helped out her mom with household finances. Around 2.15pm, as Rosa wrangles carts in the parking lot, another young man, 32 year old Ethan Nenecker makes his way towards the store. When Ethan gets closer, he sets his eyes on Rosa. Then Ethan pulls out a gun and fires at her. As Rosa falls to the ground, people scream and scatter, ducking behind cars or darting into the store. Ethan also keeps moving.

[Katie]

He spots a gray Toyota 4Runner. It's not clear whether it's moving or parked, but either way Ethan fires multiple shots at the car. He kills two people inside. 65 year old Adam Chow and Chow's four year old granddaughter. Chow's wife is also inside the car. She's injured, but she's able to take her granddaughter's body from the car as she escapes. Adam's body also ends up outside of the car. It's possible he was trying to protect his family when he was shot.

[Crime House Reporter]

After unleashing all of this mayhem, Ethan gets into the now empty Forerunner and speeds off. Meanwhile, first responders arrive at the scene. They confirm that Adam and his granddaughter are dead. Rosa is taken to a nearby hospital.

[Katie]

Where she succumbed to her injuries. Ethan Nenecker has killed three people. But the chaos is far from over because Ethan is frantically trying to escape and he's not afraid to hurt people in the process. During his escape, he tries to steal multiple vehicles, including a water truck and a self driving car. He eventually manages to jack a Volkswagen, which he drives to south Austin, about 617 miles from the target. And his string of violence is about to get even more bizarre. Ethan pulls up outside the house of someone he knows from Bible study, throws a brick through the window, then gets back into the Volkswagen and flees. After that, Ethan's movements get a little harder to trace. Somewhere in South Austin, he ditches the car and darts into a porta potty. Moments later, he comes back out completely nude and starts running through people's backyards. Someone who lives in the neighborhood sees him and calls the police. Finally, around 3pm, after 45 minutes of havoc, the Texas authorities find the stolen Volkswagen abandoned in the middle of the street. They look inside and find the clothes witnesses said that the target shooter had been wearing. Just a few minutes after finding the car, they they spot Ethan nude and seemingly unarmed. Somehow he'd found a Bible. He's clutching it, still nude. When officers close in on him. Ethan won't listen to their commands. So the officers have to use a stun gun to subdue him. Once he's down, they take Ethan into custody and take him to the hospital. By now, various 911 calls had allowed them to piece together everything Ethan did between the time of the shooting and the time of his arrest. It was confusing, bizarre, and most of all, terrifying. But one of the most troubling things was yet to come. After Ethan Nenecker is arrested and in the hospital, he confesses to the target killings. But he doesn't give a clear motive for his crimes. He just says that he'd killed the victims because he is Jesus. Investigators are disturbed and quickly dig through Ethan's past and try and understand him better. Soon they discover that he has a lengthy criminal history, including domestic violence charges, driving under the influence, violation of a protective order, and possession of marijuana. His actions may have also been tied to some serious mental health concerns. It sounds like he had some documented issues, but authorities aren't sure of any specific diagnosis. As of August 20, 2025, they've issued a mental health evaluation, so we'll be sure to follow up with any updates there. One thing we do know is that Ethan had somehow obtained his gun from a family member, and authorities are considering filing charges against that person. As for Ethan, he's facing eight charges relating to the shooting and his attempt to flee. Under Texas law, he could face the death penalty for this. Ethan is scheduled to appear in court this month, so once we get updates on his actual court date or we'll keep you Posted at Crime House 247 for now, the city of Austin is still reeling from this utter tragedy, and officials are left wondering how someone with such an extensive history of violence and mental illness could have slipped through the cracks. Most recently, they're looking into his social media and they've uncovered some troubling posts. This case seems like it's developing quickly, so be sure to check back for more updates on our feed at crime house 24 7. Tomorrow, we're investigating updates on the newest documents revealed in the Idaho murder case, which took the lives of four college students. What do you guys think? Our two stories today both include suspects who could potentially face the death penalty. We know it's a hotly debated topic. In the meantime, make sure to drop your facts, theories or anything in the comments. I want to hear it all. And what should we cover next? Tell us rimehouse247 on TikTok and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube rimehouseDaily for ad free listening and more. Join Crime House plus on Apple Podcasts. Until then, you stay curious and I'll stay on the case. We'll see you tonight.

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Mike and Alyssa are always trying to outdo each other. When Alyssa got a small water bottle, Mike showed up with a 4 liter jug. When Mike started gardening, Alyssa started beekeeping.

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They called a truce for their holiday and used Expedia trip planner to collaborate on all the details of the trip. Once there, Mike still did more laps around the pool.

[Katie]

Whatever.

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