UnitedHealthcare Names Tim Noel as New CEO Nearly 2 Months After Brian Thompson Was Killed

UnitedHealth Group named Tim Noel as the new CEO of the UnitedHealthcare division

Nearly two months after UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot in New York City in a targeted attack, the company has named its new leader.

On Thursday, Jan. 23, UnitedHealth Group announced that Tim Noel — who joined the health insurance company in 2007 and was recently serving as UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement's chief executive officer — will serve as the UnitedHealthcare division's new CEO.

“He brings unparalleled experience to this role with a proven track record and strong commitment to improving how health care works for consumers, physicians, employers, governments and our other partners,” a spokesperson for UHG said in a statement.

Thompson, the late UnitedHealthcare CEO, was fatally shot outside of the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan just before 6:45 a.m. on Dec. 4.

UnitedHealth Group — the biggest private health insurer in the U.S. —  expressed shock and sadness in a LinkedIn statement at the time, writing, "We are deeply saddened and shocked at the passing of our dear friend and colleague Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare. Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him. Our hearts go out to Brian’s family and all who were close to him.”

Related: Luigi Mangione Had 'Debilitating' Back Pain, Went 'Radio Silent' to Friends Before Healthcare CEO Shooting: Reports

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On Dec. 9, Luigi Mangione was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in connection to Thompson. Mangione is being held at the State Correctional Institution in Huntingdon, Pa., without bail.

While a motive remains unclear, officials said Mangioned was found in possession of a 3-page manifesto critical of the health insurance industry. 

NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said Mangione's manifesto indicated he "has some ill will toward corporate America." Bullet casings found at the scene of the crime also had engravings with the words "deny," "defend" and "depose," similar to a phrase about the insurance industry to describe a strategy of rejecting claims, "delay, deny, defend."

Due to concerns about safety about its executives, UnitedHealthcare removed Thompson’s and other executives’ photos from its website shortly after his death.