UnitedHealthcare CEO Murder: Former FBI Special Agent Explains Why Suspect’s Name Is Being Withheld

A retired FBI special agent explained why authorities have not yet released the name of the suspected killer who shot and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City on Wednesday.

“Releasing a suspect’s name prematurely could identify them and compromise the efforts of the NYPD and FBI during both fugitive and criminal investigations,” Jason Peck told Fox News Digital.

“For example, if officers are closing in on a suspect, publicly naming him may encourage him to flee, and risk losing him at his current location. ”

Within hours of the release of a full-face photo of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing suspects, investigators began receiving clues, Peck told Fox News Digital on Friday.

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“The suspect doesn’t know for sure if law enforcement has identified him, and he’s left to play a guessing game as he calculates his next move,” Peck said. ” “Investigators must build their case methodically, making sure every detail meets the legal standards for probable cause.

“While the public may have an insatiable curiosity, withholding a name—if they have it—gives the upper hand to investigators. In time, the full story will emerge.”

Peck is a retired supervisory special agent who has navigated these issues as an on-the-scene FBI spokesperson working with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies on several such high-profile cases. What’s up, including the Boston Marathon bombing investigation, and others.

During an interview Saturday on “Fox News Live,” Fox News contributor and former DC homicide Det. Ted Williams echoed Peck’s optimism about finding Thompson’s killer.

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“I can tell you behind the scenes, I believe the walls are starting to close in on this professional hitman,” Williams told host Eric Shawn. “The FBI is now, like you said, involved in the manhunt. And I think it’s only a matter of time before they catch him. The picture they have of him is now posted all over the country. is.”

Williams asserted that the FBI’s involvement in the search would quickly end the investigation.

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“New York is limited to facial recognition technology. New York. But now that the FBI is involved, they can go into the national database,” the former detective explained. “And that will be very meaningful and helpful to this investigation.

Thompson, who was shot to death outside a New York City hotel just before 7 a.m. Wednesday, died less than 30 minutes later. Detectives are investigating. Number of clues The suspect left behind, including a backpack, a water bottle, a phone and shell casings.

Bloomberg reported that investigators found a jacket inside the bag that is believed to be connected to the murder, not the gun.

It is unconfirmed whether this bag was the same bag that the accused was wearing during the murder, which was captured by a surveillance camera.

NBC News also reported Saturday that Monopoly money was found inside the bag.

“The killer is playing games with the authorities. It’s all part of a cat-and-mouse game. The killer knew he was more likely than not to find the bag, and he’s leaving breadcrumbs so the authorities can find it.” To show that he’s in control, not them.” Williams told Fox News Digital.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has also confirmed that authorities are “closing in” on it. The suspect who killed Thompson. As the search entered its fourth day, the New York Post reported.

“The net is getting tighter,” Adams told reporters Saturday during the Police Athletic League’s sixth party in Harlem.

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The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the murder suspect.

Officers believe the murder suspect rode into Central Park on a motorcycle immediately after the murder and disposed of the evidence. He is believed to have left New York City shortly after Thompson’s death.

Fox News Digital’s Andrea Margolis contributed to this report.