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Disturbing Messages Revealed
The Department of Justice said Daley “expressed satisfaction over the fact and manner” of Thompson’s death and went further, declaring Thompson’s children “deserved to meet the same violent end.”
In one message obtained by ABC News, Daley sneered: “Your [family member] got lit the f— up cause he’s a f—— asshole.”
Another voicemail was even more chilling: “You all deserve to f—— die and burn and hell. F— you. F— your f—— kids.”
This wasn’t a one-off rant. This was a deliberate campaign to terrorize a family already shattered by loss.
A Family Under Siege
Thompson left behind his wife Paulette “Pauley” Thompson, 51, and their two children. Instead of privacy to grieve, they were forced to endure menacing calls threatening their very lives.
Federal prosecutors weren’t about to let this stand.
Prosecutors Draw a Line
Acting U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III said it plainly: “Brian Thompson was gunned down in midtown Manhattan. Daley, as alleged, gleefully welcomed this tragedy and did all that he could to increase the Thompson family’s pain and suffering.”
“My office and its partners will now do all that we can to hold him accountable for this vicious and outrageous conduct,” he added.
Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, echoed the outrage: “As alleged, Daley threatened and harassed a grieving family in the immediate aftermath of a loved one’s murder. These selfish, harmful, and callous actions undermine public safety and will not be tolerated.”
The FBI Responds Quickly
Federal authorities wasted no time. Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s New York office, explained why the Bureau acted so swiftly:
“Shane Daley allegedly repeatedly harassed the grieving family of Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare gunned down in New York City. The recurrent calls and messages in the days following Brian Thompson’s murder were more than callous and cold-hearted harassment – they were threatening and terrified a family already suffering following the violent death of their loved one.”
Raia promised that anyone engaging in this kind of behavior will be pursued relentlessly: “The FBI will continue to bring to justice any individual attempting to stalk and harass innocent Americans.”
Facing Serious Federal Time
Daley now faces a federal cyberstalking charge. If convicted, he could spend up to five years in prison, pay a $250,000 fine, and serve three years of supervised release.
The case highlights a critical line: people are free to voice strong opinions about corporate America, but threatening children who just lost their father is something else entirely. That’s where law enforcement steps in.
More Than Just Anger
What makes Daley’s actions so disturbing is the timing. Thompson’s death — carried out by 27-year-old Luigi Mangione — was already shocking enough. But instead of just ranting online like many others, Daley picked up the phone and personally targeted the victims’ family.
Hours after the murder, while they were likely still in shock, he was already dialing their number to inflict more pain.
Sending a Message
By acting quickly, federal agents sent a message: grief-stricken families are not fair game for harassment.
Daley thought he could hide behind a phone. Now he’s looking at five years in federal prison — and that’s exactly where people who terrorize families should end up.
