A gray backpack potentially connected to the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was discovered in Central Park West on Friday. While a jacket and some Monopoly money were found inside, the murder weapon remains missing, prompting NYPD divers to search the park's waters.
The backpack's discovery marks a significant development in the investigation into Thompson's death. Thompson was shot and killed outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel on Wednesday morning. Surveillance footage captured the masked assailant fleeing the scene. Authorities suspect the perpetrator left New York City by bus later that day.
Law enforcement has yet to officially link the backpack to the suspect, though it resembles the one seen in the surveillance video. The backpack will undergo forensic analysis for trace evidence such as hair, fibers, and DNA.
Investigators are also examining other pieces of evidence, including a water bottle and a discarded cellphone found at the crime scene, as well as bullet casings inscribed with the words "deny," "depose," and "delay." The presence of Monopoly money in the backpack is seen by some experts as a taunt from the killer, suggesting a calculated attempt to manipulate the investigation.
The investigation continues as authorities work to identify and apprehend the suspect.
