UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson's Death Mocked on Social Media

UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, a well-known executive, Midwesterner, and father, was killed, yet many showed little sympathy.

Brian Thompson was killed in broad daylight in Manhattan on Wednesday, and his death quickly became a meme and a target of mockery on social media. The killer remains at large, according to a report by USA Today.

Some people were repulsed by the comments, feeling a sense of despair for humanity due to the apparent widespread celebration of the UnitedHealthcare CEO's assassination online. While the healthcare system has its flaws, these reactions are truly disturbing. For some, it’s easy to see why those who didn’t know Thompson might mock this tragedy.

Every day, people face tragedies, including the inability to pay medical bills, regardless of their insurance status. This reaction mirrors the response to events like the shooting attempt on President-elect Donald Trump at one of his rallies earlier this year and the disappearance of the Titanic submersible last year, which claimed the lives of all five wealthy passengers on board.

In situations like this, people can hold multiple thoughts at once. It is disheartening that someone lost their life while so many in this country continue to face challenges in accessing healthcare.

Here’s what experts have got to say: 

Gina Moffa, author of Moving On Doesn't Mean Letting Go and a licensed clinical social worker, explains that people often feel their problems are not being acknowledged, heard, or addressed. Laura Petiford, a licensed marriage and family therapist, adds that it’s human nature to compartmentalize our perceptions of situations like these to feel safer and more at ease.

Social media users have shared a variety of emotions in reaction to the sudden death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. It’s important to remember that those who knew Thompson are grieving and to aim for a balance of sympathy and empathy.