Luigi Mangione, the man accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, just turned 27 behind bars—and instead of focusing on the charges, he’s focusing on gratitude. Yep, actual gratitude… from a jail cell.
In a heartfelt (and honestly, bizarrely upbeat) electronic letter sent from MDC Brooklyn, Mangione revealed 27 things he’s grateful for as he marks another year of life… this time, behind bars.
The Letter From Lockup: “I’m Blessed in So Many Ways”
Luigi’s message—shared through a subreddit supporting his case, r/FreeLuigi—shouts out his family, friends, legal team, and even the corrections officers at MDC Brooklyn.
He also gave a nod to his cellmate, his global fanbase, and the jaw-dropping $1 million in donations that have poured in for his legal defense. According to Mangione, the funds are helping cover his commissary expenses, where he’s treating himself to what he calls “some big purchases.”
“Thank you to everyone who sent money. I got ramen, I got coffee, I got deodorant. I’m living good.”
Books, Beats & BBQ
Among his 27 points of gratitude, Mangione details the books he’s reading (titles not disclosed but reportedly a mix of legal texts and motivational reads) and what’s playing on his jailhouse playlist. He’s vibing to rap, classic soul, and, surprisingly, instrumental jazz.
Oh, and Thursdays? They’re all about chicken with Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce—which he calls the highlight of his week.
“To my vegan fans, sorry… but it’s the realest food here, and I need my strength.”
“Latinas for Mangione” Get a Special Shoutout
Luigi even gave love to a fan group dubbed “Latinas for Mangione”—a social media movement of Latina women supporting his innocence and trial. It’s unclear how serious he is, but the shoutout was clear: “Y’all ride harder than my lawyer.”
The Case: What Luigi’s Up Against
Let’s not forget: Mangione is currently awaiting trial for first-degree murder, accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in what prosecutors say was a targeted hit.
He has pleaded not guilty, and while his next court date is set for June 26, his full federal trial isn’t expected to kick off until 2026.
So yeah… Luigi has plenty of time to keep journaling and counting his blessings.
Public Reaction: Split Between Support and Outrage
The post on r/FreeLuigi has drawn a huge response—some praising Mangione’s “positive mindset” under dark circumstances, others slamming the post as tone-deaf and disrespectful to Brian Thompson’s family.
One Reddit comment read:
“He’s literally thanking people for funding snacks while awaiting trial for murder. What planet are we on?”
Another said:
“If you’re innocent, gratitude is powerful. If you’re guilty, it’s creepy. Time will tell.”
💬 What’s Next for Luigi?
With trial years away, the public will likely hear more from Mangione, who seems intent on using his voice even while behind bars. Whether it’s legal updates or his next BBQ sauce review, one thing’s clear:
Luigi Mangione is not going silent anytime soon.