Mysterious call by Brian Thompson assassin just 15 minutes before killing CEO could be key as cops probe ‘burner phone’
A MYSTERIOUS phone call believed to have been placed by CEO Brian Thompson’s suspected assassin could provide cops with information into the baffling case.
Police are believed to be investigating a burner phone that could have been used by the gunman just minutes before the shocking attack.
The unidentified assassin was caught on camera holding a phone up to his ear 15 minutes before UnitedHeathcare’s CEO was executed in public.
Cops later found an abandoned cell phone in an alley near the murder scene.
A former NYPD investigator, Paul Mauro, told Fox News, how this device could be used by investigators.
“If indeed he was on a phone call right then – his phone was live – you can dump the cell tower,” he said.
“You are going to need the search warrant for that and it’s a ton of data.”
Paul also explained how cops would be able to use surveillance footage to pin point the time any calls were made.
The former investigator even revealed the extra information detectives could pull from this data.
He added: “You look at the phone calls that were made there and by process of elimination you are going to get not only the phone number that was assigned to that phone, you are going to get who he called.”
Another expert explained that crucial information could be gathered from this burner phone even if the calls could not be heard.
Former FBI investigator Bill Daly told Fox that investigators would also look to see if the phone was bought from New York City or from elsewhere.
The shocking assassination happened outside the Hilton Midtown hotel on Wednesday.
Cops have not revealed a motivation behind the attack but they believe Thompson was “specifically targeted.”
CCTV images of an unmasked person of interest were released by police.
A man, wearing a hood, was pictured smirking inside a hostel in Upper Manhattan.
NYPD and FBI agents searched the hostel on Amsterdam Avenue and found the person checked in on November 30.
Authorities have not confirmed whether these images are of the suspected assassin.
Other experts have revealed that another ditched item could also provide detectives with more answers, The U.S. Sun has previously reported.
The suspected gunman was pictured entering a Starbucks around 30 minutes before the Thompson was killed.
He is believed to have ordered a coffee, a bottle of water, and two energy bars from the West 56th and Sixth Avenue branch.
CCTV from just two blocks away from the murder scene showed the man throwing the bottle and a coffee cup in the trash.
Cops discovered a bottle, believed to be from the suspect, at the crime scene.
An expert revealed that DNA from this bottle has been sent to a forensics lab for testing.
Three days into their investigations, cops have not released a name for any susupects.
Despite this, New York City’s Mayor Eric Adams has said he is confident cops will find the shooter soon.
Investigators have also issued a $10,000 reward for anybody with information related to the killer.
Timeline of Brian Thompson's murder
BRIAN Thompson, the 50-year-old CEO of UnitedHealthcare, has been shot to death, and a desperate search is underway for his killer.
Here is everything we know about Thompson’s murder so far.
December 2 – Thompson travels from his home in Minnesota to New York City for an investor conference in Midtown Manhattan.
December 4, 6:45 am – Thompson walks from his hotel across the street to the New York Hilton Midtown and is murdered by a masked shooter. The execution was caught on surveillance, and the suspect was seen biking away toward Central Park. Cops spark a citywide search for the assassin.
December 4, later that morning – News broke the shooting victim was Thompson, who was the CEO of America’s largest private healthcare provider. Cops released disturbing images of the execution, offered a reward for information, and made a desperate plea for New Yorkers to keep their eyes out.
December 4, afternoon – Thompson’s estranged wife Paulette revealed her husband had been threatened before he was shot.
December 4, afternoon – Cops released more eerie images of the suspect ordering at Starbucks that partially revealed his face. The U.S. Sun confirmed the coffee shop was just two blocks away from the shooting, but it’s unclear when he stopped by.
December 5, morning – Reports claim the words “deny,” “dispose,” and “defend” were engraved on live rounds and shell casings left behind by the assassin. These words echo the book Delay, Deny, Defend, which is about the failings of the healthcare industry. The author of the book had no comment on the reports.
December 5, morning – Cops raid a hostel in the Upper West Side of New York City where the suspect is said to have stayed. It’s believed he wore a mask for most of the time he was there.
December 5, morning – A person of interest in Thompson’s murder is pictured. He’s wearing a hood in the photo, but his full face could be seen breaking into a beaming grin. Still, no arrests have been made in the investigation.
December 5, afternoon – Law enforcement confirms the suspect arrived in New York City on a Greyhound bus on November 27. It’s also confirmed that the suspect dropped a burner cell phone near the scene of the shooting.