Rightallegiance.com – Authorities investigating the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson have uncovered new evidence, including a mysterious gray backpack abandoned in Central Park. The bag, found near Central Park West on Friday, contained a jacket and Monopoly money but no firearm, according to reports from Bloomberg and NBC News.
The discovery has added another layer of intrigue to the case as investigators marked the fourth day of their search for the person responsible for Thompson’s assassination. The businessman was shot with a suppressed pistol early Wednesday morning near a Midtown Manhattan hotel. The masked assailant approached Thompson from behind as he walked toward the hotel, fired multiple times, and fled the scene.
Police believe the shooter fled New York City on a bus later that day. However, it remains unclear whether the backpack is directly tied to the suspect seen on surveillance footage wearing a similar bag.
The gray backpack has been sent to a forensic lab in Queens for thorough analysis. Retired FBI agent Scott Duffey explained that investigators will examine the bag for trace evidence, such as DNA, fibers, or fingerprints.
“If he held the strap or tightened the buckle, that’s where DNA is most likely to be found,” Duffey told Fox News Digital. “Even the zippers could hold clues.”
In addition to the backpack, authorities are analyzing other items left at the scene, including a water bottle, a discarded cellphone, and bullet casings. The casings bear cryptic words: “deny,” “depose,” and “delay.”
Former Washington, D.C., homicide detective Ted Williams described the Monopoly money as a provocative taunt.
“This killer is playing games with the authorities,” Williams said. “It’s all part of a calculated cat-and-mouse game. They knew the backpack would likely be found and are leaving breadcrumbs to show they’re in control.”
Despite these findings, police have yet to identify a suspect or determine a motive for the high-profile murder. The brazen nature of the crime, coupled with the suspect’s apparent attempt to mock investigators, has left authorities with more questions than answers.
As the investigation continues, officials remain focused on piecing together the puzzle of Thompson’s murder, hoping that the evidence will lead to a breakthrough in the case.