US News
What does deny, defend, and depose mean?
What ‘deny defend depose’ means and has to do with the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
On Wednesday, UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed in the early morning hours outside a hotel he was staying at in Manhattan. Thompson was in New York City for a company conference, which was subsequently canceled. The 50-year-old executive is survived by his wife and two sons.
New clues emerge as the investigation begins
The suspect remains at large, but details of the investigation are beginning to be reported. On Thursday morning, ABC News reported that the bullet casings that killed Thompson had three words written on them: deny, defend, depose. The writing on the casings before they were loaded into the chamber is an indication that the attack was premeditated, bolstering the theory voiced by city officials yesterday that Thompson was targeted. Jessica Tisch, the New York City police commissionaire, informed the public that the killing did “not appear to be a random act of violence,” adding that the evidence collected thus far was an “indication [...] that this was a premeditated, pre-planned, targeted attack.”
The meaning of the words remains unknown, but investigators believe they could relate to the suspect’s motive. UnitedHealthcare has the highest rate of claim denials of all private health insurance companies in the US. The murder could be a way of deposing Thompson from his position, but no cohesive theories have been put forward by law enforcement. Some users on social media have called attention to how similar the words are to a book on the exploitative nature of the American healthcare system, titled Delay, Deny, Defend: Why insurance companies don’t pay claims and what you can do about it.
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.