In a chilling case that underscores the growing convergence of digital harassment and real-world violence, a New York man stands accused of terrorizing the family of slain UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson mere hours after his murder. Shane Daley, 40, of Galway, New York, was arrested by the FBI on August 13, 2025, following an intensive eight-month investigation into a barrage of threatening and explicit voicemails left for Thompson’s grieving widow, Paulette Thompson, and their children.
The disturbing calls began almost immediately after Brian Thompson, 50, was shot and killed outside Manhattan’s Hilton Midtown on December 4, 2024. Thompson, who was in New York to attend an investor conference, was gunned down in what authorities have described as a targeted attack. Luigi Mangione, 27, is currently in custody facing charges of murder in furtherance of terrorism and multiple weapons offenses in connection with the killing. Mangione has pleaded not guilty, and his high-profile case is being prosecuted separately in New York State.
But for the Thompson family, the trauma of losing a husband and father was compounded by a new wave of cruelty. According to the federal criminal complaint, Daley left a series of voicemails between December 4 and December 7, 2024, on a workplace phone line used by a Thompson family member residing in Minnesota. The content of these messages, as described by Acting U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III, was nothing short of “vicious and outrageous.”
Prosecutors allege that Daley’s voicemails were laced with graphic threats and expletives, including one message in which he reportedly declared, “Your [family member] got lit the f— up cause he’s a f—— asshole.” In another, Daley is said to have chillingly stated, “You all deserve to f—— die and burn in hell. F— you. F— your f—— kids.” According to ABC News, Daley also expressed satisfaction with Brian Thompson’s murder and explicitly threatened the lives of Paulette Thompson and her children, saying they “deserved” a similar fate.
Investigators were able to track Daley down thanks to meticulous digital sleuthing. The FBI, working in tandem with local law enforcement, obtained phone records and GPS location data from the victim’s employer and AT&T. This digital evidence traced the origin of the threatening calls directly to Daley’s residence in Saratoga County, New York. On July 30, 2025, the FBI executed a search warrant on Daley’s phone, further corroborating the allegations. During questioning, Daley initially denied making the calls but later admitted it was possible he had placed them.
“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 will do everything possible to hold him accountable,” Sarcone said in a statement released by the Department of Justice on August 14, 2025.
The emotional toll on the Thompson family has been profound. The threatening voicemails, coming at a time of unimaginable grief, inflicted further trauma on Paulette Thompson and her two children, compounding the pain of their loss. The case has also sparked broader conversations about the dangers posed by cyberstalking and the ways in which digital harassment can escalate into real-world danger.
Security experts point to Daley’s alleged conduct as a sobering example of what they call a “blended threat” landscape. According to the FBI’s 2024 Internet Crime Report, there were 859,532 complaints and over $16 billion in reported losses—a 33% increase from the previous year. Harassment and stalking are among the fastest-growing categories of online crime. The U.S. Secret Service’s National Threat Assessment Center has repeatedly emphasized the importance of integrating behavioral threat assessment into responses, warning that online communications often play a significant role in the pathway to targeted violence.
Specialists now advocate for a holistic approach to security that combines both digital and physical safeguards. Recommended steps include regular security audits, comprehensive staff and family training on privacy protection, limiting the amount of personal information shared online, and engaging threat-assessment professionals—especially for high-profile individuals or those facing targeted harassment.
Daley now faces one count of federal cyberstalking, a serious charge that carries a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release. After his initial court appearance in Albany, Daley was released under strict conditions: he must wear a GPS monitoring device, is prohibited from consuming alcohol, and cannot possess firearms. He has not yet entered a plea and is due back in court for further proceedings, where additional release conditions may be discussed.
The FBI’s handling of the case sends a clear message: those who exploit technology to terrorize victims—especially during their darkest moments—will be pursued with the full force of federal law. “The harassment inflicted profound additional trauma on Thompson’s family during an unimaginable time,” Sarcone noted, underscoring the gravity of the offense and the commitment of law enforcement to protect victims of cybercrime.
As the legal process unfolds, observers say the case could serve as a wake-up call about the urgent need for stronger protections against digital harassment. The rapid growth of online crime and the increasing overlap between virtual threats and physical violence have prompted calls for more robust legislation, better victim support services, and greater public awareness.
For now, the Thompson family continues to grapple with the dual tragedies of losing a loved one to violence and being targeted by a campaign of hate in the aftermath. The prosecution of Shane Daley will test the reach of federal cyberstalking laws—and may shape how similar cases are handled in the future.
As the line between online and offline threats grows ever blurrier, the story of Brian Thompson’s family stands as a stark reminder of the real-world impact of digital cruelty—and the urgent need for vigilance, compassion, and justice in an increasingly connected world.