The arrest of Luigi Mangione, accused of the asesinato of the CEO of UnitedHealthcareBrian Thompson, has unleashed a wave of speculation on social networks. A recurring element in the discussion has been Pokémon Breloom and its number in the Pokédex, 286, which several users have linked to possible messages about the health system in the United States.
On Wednesday, December 4, Brian Thompson, 50, was murdered in broad daylight outside a hotel in Manhattan. According to authorities, the main suspect, Luigi Mangione, was arrested days later at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania. He was carrying a firearm and false identification documents and around $8,000 in cash. After being identified, Mangione was formally charged with murder by Manhattan prosecutors.
At the center of the debate on social networks is a prominent image on Mangione’s profile on the platform X: a banner composed of a personal photograph, an x-ray of spinal surgery, and the image of Breloom, a Pokémon whose Pokédex number is 286. According to Newsweekthis number has been interpreted in multiple ways: as a reference to the medical code of denying claims for missed deadlines, a symbol of protest against the failures of the healthcare system or even a link to the Bible verse Proverbs 28:6: “Better is the poor man who walks in integrity than the rich man who walks in perverse ways.”.
Some users, cited by Express USfurther note that the distance between Manhattan and Altoona, where Mangione was arrested, is exactly 286 miles, fueling speculation about a deliberate pattern. However, after checking the distances on Google Maps, it was found that the distance varies between 279.6 and 306.6 miles, depending on which path is taken.
However, another of number 286’s relationships with the alleged murderer of Brian Thompson has to do with his cousin, Nino Mangione, a prominent Republican politician who, until December 12, 2024, follows 286 people on his account. X. Despite the many coincidences, the authorities have not confirmed the intentionality of these circumstances.
On the other hand, TikTok and This theory, according to various means such as NBChas not been confirmed, but reinforces interest in his psychological profile.
Mangione had expressed his dissatisfaction with the United States health system on social networks and forums. According to reports from the authorities, among the documents seized in his possession was a manuscript in which he referred to the administrators of the insurance companies as “parasites who had it coming.” Furthermore, his profile on Goodreads It included reviews of works with content critical of social structures, such as the Unabomber’s manifesto, which he described as “interesting” and described the terrorist as “revolutionary.”
On social networks, Mangione’s figure has unleashed all kinds of comments against and in favor. While some users see it as a symbol of resistance against the corruption of the medical system, others have condemned any attempt to romanticize their actions. According to information collected in an analysis of NBCthe #Breloom hashtag has racked up thousands of posts, some linked to protest songs like “Do You Hear the People Sing” of Les Misérables. Digital art has even been created that mixes the image of the Pokémon with references to revolutionary movements.
In contrast, Luigi’s family, in a statement issued through state legislator Nino Mangione, expressed their shock at what happened. The statement made on social media states: “We are devastated by this news. “We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and ask everyone to pray for those involved.”
