Luigi Mangione — the high-profile suspect in the killing of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson — is now at the centre of an entirely different kind of investigation: one involving fast fashion.
As first reported by TMZ on Tuesday, Mangione appeared to be featured as a model on Shein’s website, wearing an $11 summer button-down shirt. The controversial image quickly made waves across social media, prompting swift action from the brand.
By Wednesday, Shein had removed the product photo and launched an internal investigation into how a likeness of Mangione, who is currently in custody at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Centre, could have ended up on its platform.
“The image in question was provided by a third-party vendor and was removed immediately upon discovery,” Shein said in a statement to BBC News.
“We have stringent standards for all listings on our platform. We are conducting a thorough investigation, strengthening our monitoring processes, and will take appropriate action against the vendor in line with our policies.”
At this stage, it’s unclear whether the image was digitally altered — potentially AI-generated or Photoshopped — but Shein has vowed to uncover the truth. Meanwhile, the shirt worn by the lookalike model is reportedly selling out.
Mangione has been in federal custody since December 2024 after being charged with multiple offences, including murder, stalking, and the use of a firearm equipped with a silencer. The fatal shooting of Brian Thompson occurred on 4 December in Midtown Manhattan. Mangione was apprehended five days later in Pennsylvania while carrying a fake ID, a ghost gun, a silencer, and a handwritten manifesto condemning the healthcare industry.
Despite the seriousness of the charges, Mangione has developed an unusual internet following. Since his arrest, social media users have uncovered old photos, shared fan edits, and even published fanfiction about him on platforms like Archive of Our Own.
Somewhat disturbingly, he’s also gained traction as a fashion influencer. Clothing items he’s worn during court appearances — including a Nordstrom crewneck and a Levi’s jacket — have gone viral online, with fans seeking to replicate his look.
Though Mangione remains incarcerated, his image — whether real or AI-generated — continues to circulate in ways that blur the lines between infamy, internet culture, and consumerism.
