Police Sergeant Denies Hearing Alleged Damning Statement from Accused Killer's Mother

Attorney says Luigi Mangione's mother never made the statement about the UnitedHealthcare CEO assassination that police claimed.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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A San Francisco police sergeant says he did not hear the potentially damning statement from the mother of accused assassin Luigi Mangione that the ambush slaying of a health insurance CEO was "something she could see him doing." Mangione is accused of stalking and shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York. The NYPD previously claimed Mangione's mother made this statement, but Mangione's attorney says there is no record of such a statement, and the sergeant who took a missing person report from the mother denies having that conversation.

Why it matters

This case highlights the importance of verifying key evidence, especially when it comes from secondary sources like witness statements. The disputed statement from Mangione's mother could have been a crucial piece of evidence, so its validity is being closely scrutinized by the defense. The integrity of the police investigation is also being called into question.

The details

According to the report, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny previously told reporters that Kathleen Mangione, the mother of the accused killer Luigi Mangione, appeared to acknowledge the possibility that her son could have committed the crime in a conversation on Dec. 7, 2024. However, Mangione's lawyers say they found no record of this remark in the discovery provided by prosecutors. Sgt. Michael Horan of the San Francisco Police Department, who took a missing person report from Mangione's mother weeks before the murder, denied having any conversation where the mother said she could have seen her son carrying out an assassination.

  • On Nov. 18, 2024, Sgt. Michael Horan took a missing person report from Kathleen Mangione, who couldn't find her son Luigi.
  • On Dec. 7, 2024, the NYPD claims Kathleen Mangione made the alleged statement about her son.
  • On Dec. 17, 2024, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny publicly reported Kathleen Mangione's alleged statement.

The players

Luigi Mangione

The accused assassin of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

Kathleen Mangione

The mother of the accused killer Luigi Mangione.

Brian Thompson

The 50-year-old UnitedHealthcare CEO who was assassinated.

Joseph Kenny

The NYPD Chief of Detectives who reported Kathleen Mangione's alleged statement.

Sgt. Michael Horan

The San Francisco police sergeant who took a missing person report from Kathleen Mangione but denies having the conversation about her son.

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What they’re saying

“That was never from us.”

— Sgt. Michael Horan, San Francisco Police Department (Rolling Stone)

“There is no such statement. It was never made. In fact, what Mrs. Mangione said was that she could never see her son being a risk to himself or others.”

— Karen Friedman Agnifilo, Attorney for Luigi Mangione (Fox News Digital)

What’s next

The defense team for Luigi Mangione is continuing to challenge the key evidence in the case, including the disputed statement attributed to his mother. The integrity of the police investigation and the validity of the evidence will likely be a central focus as the case proceeds.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of thoroughly verifying witness statements and other secondary evidence, especially when it could be a crucial piece of a high-profile criminal investigation. The disputed statement from Mangione's mother underscores the need for meticulous record-keeping and transparency in police investigations to maintain public trust.