Man Arrested After Allegedly Sending 'Threatening' Voicemails to 'Terrified' Family of Murdered CEO Brian Thompson By Becca Longmire

A New York man has been arrested after being accused of harassing a family member of murdered UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, authorities have confirmed.

On Wednesday, Aug. 13, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed that Shane Daley, 40, of Galway “was charged with cyberstalking and arrested for sending harassing and threatening voicemail messages to a family member,” of Thompson, 50, who was murdered in a pre-dawn shooting outside the Hilton Midtown in Manhattan on Dec. 4, 2024.

Luigi Mangione, 27, was previously arrested in connection with the shooting and has since been charged with multiple crimes, including murder and terrorism.

A DOJ press release said of Daley on Wednesday, “A criminal complaint alleges that between December 4 and 7, 2024, beginning just hours after Thompson’s murder in midtown Manhattan, Daley placed multiple calls to a work phone line used by a member of Thompson’s family.” 

“In a series of voicemail messages, Daley used threatening and harassing language that focused on, among other things, Thompson’s killing, expressed satisfaction over the fact and manner of his death, and stated that the victim and Thompson’s children deserved to meet the same violent end,” the release added.

Thompson was survived by his wife Paulette “Pauley” Thompson, 51, and their two children.

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Daley allegedly said in one of the voicemails, “Your [family member] got lit the f— up cause he’s a f—— asshole,” on the day of Thompson’s killing, ABC News reported, citing the complaint.

“You all deserve to f—— die and burn and hell. F— you. F— your f—— kids,” he allegedly said in another voicemail, per the outlet.

Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III said of the charges Daley is facing, “Brian Thompson was gunned down in midtown Manhattan. Daley, as alleged, gleefully welcomed this tragedy and did all that he could to increase the Thompson family’s pain and suffering,” per the release.

He added, “My office and its partners will now do all that we can to hold him accountable for this vicious and outrageous conduct.”

Jay Clayton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, continued: “As alleged, Daley threatened and harassed a grieving family in the immediate aftermath of a loved one’s murder.” 

“These selfish, harmful, and callous actions undermine public safety and will not be tolerated. This Office, together with our law enforcement partners, will pursue and prosecute those who seek to intimidate victims and their families. We are grateful to be working on this case alongside the Northern District of New York,” he shared.

The charge Daley is facing carries a maximum term of five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to three years, the DOJ confirmed.

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Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), said, “Shane Daley allegedly repeatedly harassed the grieving family of Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare gunned down in New York City,” per the release.

“The recurrent calls and messages in the days following Brian Thompson’s murder were more than callous and cold-hearted harassment – they were threatening and terrified a family already suffering following the violent death of their loved one. The FBI will continue to bring to justice any individual attempting to stalk and harass innocent Americans,” Raia said.

The FBI and the DOJ did not immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information. PEOPLE has also attempted to contact a lawyer for Daley.