Shane Daley, a 40-year-old resident of Galway, New York, has been arrested and charged with cyberstalking after allegedly sending threatening and harassing voicemail messages to a family member of Brian Thompson, the UnitedHealthcare CEO who was killed in midtown Manhattan in December 2024.
According to a criminal complaint, Daley made several calls between December 4 and 7, 2024, to a work phone line used by one of Thompson’s family members. The voicemails reportedly included threats and comments about Thompson’s murder. Daley is accused of expressing satisfaction over the killing and stating that the victim and Thompson’s children deserved similar violence.
The allegations are accusations at this stage. The defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III commented: “Brian Thompson was gunned down in midtown Manhattan. Daley, as alleged, gleefully welcomed this tragedy and did all that he could to increase the Thompson family’s pain and suffering. My office and its partners will now do all that we can to hold him accountable for this vicious and outrageous conduct.”
Jay Clayton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said: “As alleged, Daley threatened and harassed a grieving family in the immediate aftermath of a loved one’s murder. These selfish, harmful, and callous actions undermine public safety and will not be tolerated. This Office, together with our law enforcement partners, will pursue and prosecute those who seek to intimidate victims and their families. We are grateful to be working on this case alongside the Northern District of New York.”
Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's New York Office, stated: “Shane Daley allegedly repeatedly harassed the grieving family of Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare gunned down in New York City. The recurrent calls and messages in the days following Brian Thompson’s murder were more than callous and cold-hearted harassment – they were threatening and terrified a family already suffering following the violent death of their loved one. The FBI will continue to bring to justice any individual attempting to stalk and harass innocent Americans.”
If convicted on the charge filed against him, Daley faces up to five years in prison, a fine up to $250,000, as well as up to three years supervised release. Sentencing would be determined by a judge considering federal statutes and guidelines.
Daley is scheduled for arraignment at 2 p.m. today before United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart in Albany.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is leading the investigation into this case. Prosecutors include Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua R. Rosenthal from the Northern District of New York along with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dominic A. Gentile and Jun Xiang from the Southern District of New York.
