The arrest of 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, a suspect in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has turned into a bizarre internet sensation. His mugshot, showcasing what fans call his “Italian good looks,” has gone viral, earning him the nickname “hot assassin” across social media platforms.
A viral phenomenon
Mangione’s once-dormant Instagram account, inactive since 2021, has seen an astronomical rise in followers, jumping from fewer than 1,000 to over 27,000 in just days. Comments on his posts range from flirty declarations to passionate calls for his release. “He’s too fine to be guilty,” one user quipped, while another joked, “Where’s the GoFundMe to free Luigi?”
True to form, internet users have gone to creative lengths to idolize Mangione. A GoFundMe campaign for his legal defense has been launched, though it has only raised a modest £100 so far. Meanwhile, Twitter (now X) users have flooded the platform with memes and speculative posts, including fan-casting for a hypothetical Netflix series based on his life.
Memes and merch
Fans have even fixated on Mangione’s outfit during the alleged crime, particularly his Sherpa-lined Levi’s Trucker Jacket. The jacket, retailing for $225 at Macy’s, has become a viral sensation, leading to thousands of searches and hundreds of purchases within days. “Luigi’s jacket is the real star of this saga,” one Reddit user commented.
Not the first ‘hot felon’
Mangione isn’t the first to gain fame through a mugshot. In 2014, Jeremy Meeks, dubbed the “hot felon,” became an internet star after his mugshot went viral, leading to a modeling career post-incarceration. Mangione’s newfound fame is drawing comparisons to Meeks, though some argue his case carries darker undertones.
Who is Luigi Mangione?
Hailing from a wealthy family in Maryland, Mangione graduated valedictorian from the prestigious Gilman School and went on to earn dual degrees in computer science and mathematics from the University of Pennsylvania. Once a promising data engineer at TrueCar, Mangione’s life took a turn with his alleged involvement in Thompson’s murder.
