Upstate NY Man Charged for Harassing Slain CEO’s Wife
UPDATE: An Upstate New York man has been charged with harassing the wife of slain UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson just hours after his murder on December 4, 2024. Shane Daley, 40, allegedly left multiple threatening voicemails filled with vile messages directed at Thompson’s wife, Paulette Thompson, on the night of the tragedy in Midtown Manhattan.
Authorities confirm that Daley gloated about Thompson’s brutal killing in three profane voicemails, some of which were left on Paulette’s work phone in Minnesota. In one harrowing message, he stated, “Your [family member] got lit the f–k up because he’s a f–king asshole.” This shocking behavior has drawn widespread condemnation, highlighting the emotional toll on a family already grieving a violent loss.
The criminal complaint indicates that Daley’s threats did not stop there. Less than three minutes after the first message, he claimed that Thompson’s children deserved to die as well. In a subsequent voicemail, he mocked Paulette’s public statement praising her husband as “an incredibly loving, generous, talented man who truly lived life to the fullest and touched so many lives.” This behavior has been described as “callous and cold-hearted harassment” by Christopher Raia, head of the FBI’s New York office.
Daley, a resident of Saratoga County, was traced through his phone after the FBI identified him from the voicemails. During an interview, he initially denied making the calls but later admitted to having been drinking at the time, suggesting it was possible he made the calls. He now faces up to five years in prison if convicted of felony cyberstalking.
The emotional impact on Paulette Thompson and her family is substantial, with federal prosecutors emphasizing the terror caused by Daley’s messages. “The recurrent calls and messages in the days following Brian Thompson’s murder were threatening and terrified a family already suffering,” Raia noted.
Daley made his first court appearance in Albany on Wednesday afternoon before US Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart. As of now, it remains unclear whether he has entered a plea. His attorney has not yet commented on the case.
Meanwhile, Luigi Mangione, 27, has been charged with Thompson’s murder, which prosecutors describe as a targeted “act of terror” linked to his claims about the predatory healthcare industry. Mangione has pleaded not guilty, and the case continues to unfold against a backdrop of growing public concern over workplace violence and harassment.
The FBI has stated that they are committed to pursuing justice for those who attempt to stalk and harass innocent individuals. As this shocking story develops, more updates are expected on both the harassment case against Daley and the ongoing investigation into Thompson’s murder.
Stay tuned for further developments as this story evolves, and consider sharing this urgent update with others to raise awareness about the ongoing issues of harassment and violence.
