Welcome back to Solved Files! Whether you’re a long-time reader or a newcomer to our true crime community, we’re excited to have you here. This edition is packed with gripping updates, behind-the-scenes details, and intriguing mysteries that will leave you captivated. Get ready to immerse yourself in the fascinating world of true crime!

Here’s what’s in store for you this time:

• ✍️ Breaking News

• ✍️ Crime Facts vs. Myth

• ✍️ Tip of the Week

• ✍️ Case Study

• ✍️ Crime Puzzle Answer

• ✍️ Statics about crime

• ✍️ Q & A

• ✍️ much more

BREAKING NEWS

Fundraiser for health insurance CEO murder suspect raises more than $120,000

An online fundraiser supporting the suspect arrested in the New York murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has surpassed $120,000 in contributions for his legal defense.

Luigi Mangione, 26, was arrested on December 9 in Altoona, Pennsylvania, in connection with Thompson’s fatal shooting outside a Manhattan hotel on December 4. Mangione faces charges in New York including second-degree murder, forgery, and three firearms-related offenses. Additionally, Pennsylvania authorities have charged him with carrying a gun without a license, forgery, providing false identification to law enforcement, and possession of instruments of crime.

Mangione’s Pennsylvania defense attorney, Thomas Dickey, stated his client intends to plead not guilty to the charges in Pennsylvania and is actively resisting extradition to New York. Currently, Mangione is being held in a Pennsylvania jail without bond.

As of Monday morning, a fundraiser titled “December 4th Legal Committee” on the GiveSendGo platform had raised over $125,000 toward Mangione’s legal fees, with a fundraising goal of $200,000. The campaign’s description notes: “This is a preemptive legal fundraiser for the suspect allegedly involved in the shooting of the UnitedHealthcare CEO. We are not here to celebrate violence, but we do believe in the constitutional right of fair legal representation.”

The fundraiser also clarified that all funds would be sent directly to Mangione unless he declined them, in which case the money would be redirected to other defendants aligned with the campaign’s mission.

Alex Shipley, communications director for GiveSendGo, emphasized the platform’s stance on due process, telling NBC News: “Every person is entitled to due process in a court of law, not in the court of public opinion. To be absolutely clear, we do not support or condone vigilante justice.” Shipley’s comments appeared to reference speculation that Thompson’s killing was tied to frustrations over the privatized US healthcare system’s frequent denial of claims.

Shipley added, “People have a constitutional right to a strong legal defense, and access to that defense should not be limited to the wealthy or those fitting a particular narrative. Our platform enables individuals and communities to fundraise for this purpose, ensuring true justice is achieved when everyone has equal access to a fair trial regardless of the verdict.”

However, not all crowdfunding platforms are allowing fundraisers for Mangione. GoFundMe, one of the largest online fundraising platforms, recently removed campaigns supporting his legal defense and refunded contributions. A spokesperson for GoFundMe explained to NBC News, “GoFundMe’s Terms of Service prohibit fundraisers for the legal defense of violent crimes.”

Additionally, Amazon removed merchandise from its marketplace that featured phrases such as “deny,” “defend,” and “depose,” reportedly referencing text found on bullet casings at the scene of Thompson’s murder.

Example: The Golden State Killer case remained unsolved for over 40 years, not due to lack of effort, but because the necessary technology didn’t exist at the time. In 2018, advancements in genetic genealogy finally identified Joseph James DeAngelo as the perpetrator, resulting in his arrest and conviction.

This breakthrough shows how persistence and evolving tools can eventually bring justice in cold cases.

Use UV Light to Uncover Hidden Evidence

UV light is a powerful tool often used in forensic investigations to detect traces of bodily fluids, fibers, or other evidence invisible to the naked eye. While most people associate it with crime labs, it can also be used in everyday situations to verify authenticity (like documents or currency) or inspect items for cleanliness.

Fun Fact: This technique has been pivotal in solving cases, such as identifying footprints or fingerprints left behind in substances like sweat, which glow under UV light.

Game Challenge: Who’s the Real Culprit? - Answer Revealed

Last week, we challenged you to figure out which suspect was lying about their alibi in the jewelry store robbery. Here’s the recap:

The Scenario:
A small-town jewelry store was robbed last Friday night. Three suspects had airtight alibis at least on the surface. Here’s what they claimed:

• Suspect A (Emma): “I was at a movie theater with my sister. She can vouch for me.”

• Suspect B (Jake): “I was at a 24-hour diner from 9 PM to midnight. I have the receipt to prove it.”

• Suspect C (Sophia): “I was on a video call with my friends the entire evening. We were planning our upcoming vacation.”

The Answer:
The culprit is Suspect B (Jake).

Here’s why:
Jake claimed he was at a 24-hour diner and had a receipt as proof. However, a receipt only confirms that he made a transaction it doesn’t verify that he stayed at the diner from 9 PM to midnight. He could have left afterward, making his alibi less reliable than the others.

• Suspect A (Emma): Her alibi could be confirmed by her sister.

• Suspect C (Sophia): Her alibi could be verified through call logs and timestamps.

Jake’s alibi raised the most suspicion, and thus, he’s the one with something to hide.

Stay tuned for next week’s challenge and see if you have what it takes to solve the next mystery! 🕵️‍♂️

Crime Statistic of the Week

Over 250,000 cold cases remain unsolved in the United States.

According to the FBI, approximately 40% of murders in the U.S. go unsolved annually. However, advances in DNA technology and forensic science have been instrumental in solving over 500 cold cases between 2010 and 2020 alone. This highlights the growing potential for breakthroughs, even in decades-old cases.

We love hearing from our Case Crackers community, and your feedback helps us make each edition better than the last! This week, we want to ask you:

What content would you like to see more of in the newsletter?

• Are there specific cases, topics, or mysteries you’d love us to explore?

• Do you enjoy the mix of features we currently include, or is there something you think is missing?

• Would you like more behind-the-scenes content, expert interviews, or interactive challenges?

Your input is invaluable, so don’t hesitate to share your thoughts! Drop us a reply or fill out this quick feedback form HERE . Together, we can make Solved Files your ultimate true crime resource.

Got another question or suggestion? Send it our way, and we might feature it in a future Q&A!

🔔 Join the Solved Files Community – Now Bigger and Better!

Are you ready to dive even deeper into the world of true crime? We’ve expanded across platforms to bring you more ways to connect, engage, and uncover the truth. Here’s where you can find us:

📺 Check out our main YouTube channel for in-depth case breakdowns, exclusive footage, and chilling storytelling that pieces together some of the world’s most complex mysteries.

👮‍♂️ Discover our body cam YouTube channel dedicated to raw body cam footage, giving you an unfiltered look at real-life crime and law enforcement encounters.

🎥 Follow our Shorts channel for quick, bite-sized crime stories and highlights that’ll leave you wanting more.

📱 Join us on TikTok and Instagram for behind-the-scenes content, case previews, and interactive true crime discussions.

But the real treasure? Joining our Patreon community where you get the ultimate true crime experience!

👉 Dive deeper into true crime and join the movement now: https://www.patreon.com/c/solvedfiles/membership

Thank you for being part of the Solved Files family. Together, we’re uncovering the truth, one case at a time! 🔦