Luigi Mangione caught the eye of onlookers Thursday with a makeover before his extradition hearing in Pennsylvania.
The Ivy League-educated suspect in the murder of UnitedHealthCare CEO Brian Thompson was clean-shaven with a haircut and an apparent eyebrow trim.
Mangione, 26, looked wild-eyed with several days of stubble when he was first led into court last week after being arrested at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, five days after the shooting in Manhattan.
But he was more subdued as he returned to the Hollidaysburg courtroom, where he waived extradition before being flown to Manhattan, where he faces a first-degree murder charge and two counts of second-degree murder.
Supporters with placards greeted him outside the court, some carrying placards with slogans including, “Death by denial is murder!” and “Health insurance practices terrorize people!” Several were wearing hats similar to that worn by the character of Luigi from the Super Mario Bros. video game.
Mangione’s pinup looks have prompted an outpouring of support for the murder suspect. One social media user posted a photo of Mangione on X, formerly known as Twitter, with the caption: “First look at a clean shaven Luigi Mangione after hearing today!” and the hashtag “#FreeLuigi.”
Another asked: “does luigi have a fresh shave and haircut ???” with four crying emojis.
“This reporter trying to describe Luigi in the courtroom without calling him hot - He….he’s clean shaven... looks good… hair uh grown out you know his curly hair his curls - Like literally stumbled over curls I’m crying,” wrote a third.
Other users messaged, “Looking cuter with his new haircut. He never done nun. I swear he was with me all day that day.”
“He got that fresh lineup and shave,” wrote yet another with three fire emojis.
“We relinquished him to the custody of the New York City Police Department, and they’ll be taking him back to New York City in a safe and secure manner,” said Blair County District Attorney Peter Weeks.
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