A woman in Lakeland, Florida, was arrested on Tuesday after reportedly echoing a phrase linked to the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Police say Briana Boston, 32, ended a heated phone call to an insurance company with the words, “Delay, Deny, Depose”—the same message allegedly etched on shell casings found at the scene of Thompson’s homicide, as reported by NBC affiliate News8.
Boston allegedly contacted BlueCross BlueShield to complain about denied medical claims. According to Lakeland police, the call was recorded in its entirety.
At the conclusion of her call, Boston reportedly stated, “Delay, Deny, Depose. You people are next.” Authorities claim that this phrase, now widely recognized as a rallying cry against insurance companies, directly links her remarks to sentiments stemming from the Thompson case.
Lakeland Police Chief Sam Taylor addressed the incident, emphasizing the seriousness of Boston’s actions. “She’s been in this world long enough to know that you can’t make threats like that, especially given the current climate,” Taylor said. “We will follow up and take action when such statements are made.”
Police located Boston at her home shortly after the call. According to the arrest affidavit, she admitted to making the statement but insisted she did not intend to threaten anyone.
Boston reportedly told officers, “Healthcare companies play games and deserve karma from the world because they are evil.” She also admitted to being influenced by media coverage of Thompson’s murder and said the phrase was top-of-mind because of its recent prominence in news reports.
Despite Boston’s inflammatory language, investigators determined she was not armed and posed no immediate threat. “She readily admitted, ‘Yeah, that’s exactly what I said, but I didn’t mean anything by it,’” Taylor told reporters. “Well, you don’t get to pull that back after you say it.”
The phrase “Delay, Deny, Depose” gained notoriety following the murder of Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare. The slogan was reportedly found on shell casings at the crime scene, sparking widespread speculation and anger over perceived injustices in the healthcare industry.
Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old from Maryland, has been charged with Thompson’s murder. His lawyer maintains that there is no evidence linking him to the crime, which has ignited a wave of online activism and protests against healthcare executives.
The high-profile case has drawn attention to systemic grievances about denied insurance claims and the financial burdens imposed by for-profit healthcare.
While Mangione’s legal team continues to argue his innocence, public outrage has manifested in various forms, from protests to incidents like Boston’s alleged threats.
Chief Taylor warned against making provocative statements in the current environment. “The emotions surrounding the healthcare debate are high, but people must understand that words have consequences,” he said.
Boston was charged with making a criminal threat and remains in custody. Authorities stress that the public must express grievances through legal and peaceful channels, especially during heightened tensions around issues as sensitive as healthcare access.
Boston’s case illustrates how public sentiment tied to systemic issues can escalate into isolated incidents of personal frustration boiling over into illegal actions.