Divers Assisting in Evidence Search in Case of New York Healthcare CEO’s Murder | US News

Underwater areas of Central Park in New York are currently being searched by police divers as they seek evidence related to the murder of a healthcare executive.

Detectives on the trail of the individual thought to have targeted UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson have discovered a backpack and several images of the suspected killer.

However, the weapon used when Mr. Thompson arrived at the Hilton hotel for his company’s annual investor conference at 6:44 AM on Wednesday has yet to be recovered.

According to two sources who spoke with Sky News’ US sister channel NBC News, the scuba team from the New York Police Department has now joined the search efforts.

The sources indicated that these divers are specially trained to recover evidence while underwater, employing specific techniques and equipment.

Given the expected murky conditions, it was noted that the divers will utilize an underwater grid pattern to systematically search for any evidence. They are also trained in preserving evidence discovered below the surface.

It has been reported that there is a pond in Central Park in close proximity to the escape route taken by the assailant after the shooting incident. Reports from various US media outlets depict divers at work around the park’s boating lake.

Investigators suspect that the attacker utilized a 9mm pistol, comparable to a weapon commonly used by farmers to quietly euthanize animals.

Additionally, they have identified ammunition located near Thompson’s body that bore inscriptions reading “delay,” “deny,” and “depose,” echoing a phrase often used by critics of the insurance industry.

Investigative theories include the possibility that the shooter was aware of the UnitedHealthcare conference taking place at the hotel and was familiar with Thompson’s route to the venue, suggesting he may be a disgruntled employee or client, according to NYPD chief of detectives Joseph Kenny.

On Sunday afternoon, while new images were released by police, officials declined to comment on the contents of the discovered backpack or the findings from the pond search.

However, the day prior, sources informed NBC News that police recovered Monopoly game money from the backpack they believe belonged to the suspect.

A multitude of detectives are currently reviewing video footage, social media activity, investigating public tips, and conducting interviews.

Those being questioned include Thompson’s family, colleagues, and the randomly assigned roommates of the shooter at the Manhattan hostel where he stayed.

Authorities believe that the assailant likely left New York shortly after the bold attack.

Prior to his arrival in New York, he had traveled from Atlanta.

Detectives are working to gather video footage from the bus terminal and various locations along the Greyhound Bus route.

Additional video evidence captured by detectives shows the suspect riding a bicycle into the park and subsequently taking a taxi to a bus station, allowing him access to travel routes to New Jersey, Philadelphia, Boston, and Washington, DC, according to Mr. Kenny.