Budget fashion brand Shein has found another traffic secret: the handsome, imposing suspect Luigi Mangione has become a male model on its platform! According to E News, a photo of a male model who bears a striking resemblance to Luigi Mangione, the 27-year-old suspect in the murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, appeared in Shein's men's shirt catalog, sparking an online outcry. Shein immediately removed the photo and launched an internal investigation, later claiming the image was provided by a third-party supplier. But was this a case of misuse or a gimmicky marketing operation? Shein has a long history of scandals, and now it's even using a murder suspect?
A look back at the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO
On December 4, 2024, Brian Thompson was shot and killed outside the bustling Midtown Hilton Hotel in New York City as he was about to attend a UnitedHealthcare investor meeting. Police discovered bullet casings engraved with the words "delay, deny, depose," a direct expression of dissatisfaction and mockery of the American health insurance industry. On December 9, a McDonald's employee in Altoona, Pennsylvania, identified Luigi Mangione as the suspect. Police quickly apprehended the suspect, who was carrying a 3D-printed pistol, a silencer, a forged ID, and a notebook.
On April 1st of this year, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the death penalty for Luigi Magione, citing "a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination intended to provoke public condemnation of the healthcare industry. " Given the widespread public outrage over loopholes in the U.S. healthcare system, the assassination of the UnitedHealthcare CEO has become a symbol of heroism, with numerous protest groups forming to defend his actions. On April 25th, during the federal court hearing, Mangione pleaded not guilty to murder, firearms possession, and stalking. Judge Margaret Garnett instructed both the prosecution and defense to refrain from public comment to ensure a fair trial.
In late August and early September 2025, prosecutors argued in Manhattan federal court documents that Mangione's actions had contributed to what they called a "copycat effect of political violence," including a subsequent shooting at NFL headquarters (by another gunman who copied his slogan and tactics), and emphasized that pursuing the death penalty would help deter copycats.
Shein continues to be controversial
Shein has been embroiled in controversy, repeatedly accused of using " low-value customs clearance " to circumvent tariffs. According to a previous CNBC report, Shein exploited the "deminimis" provision in Section 321 of the Tariff Act of 1930 to avoid import duties and customs inspections. The report estimated that over 30% of Shein's daily low-value, small packages were cleared through customs, reaching US consumers tax-free through tariff exemptions. Shein has also been embroiled in numerous design infringement lawsuits. Uniqlo once sued Shein, alleging that it copied its popular dhoti bag.
Driven by speed and cost, any traffic is good traffic. Even negative news, as long as it's topical enough, will immediately dominate the news. Although Shein has vehemently denied that the platform used the photo of the suspect in the UnitedHealthcare CEO murder case and shifted the blame entirely to a third party, it seems unable to convince the news media and the public.
This article, "A surprising move by Shein, the cheap clothing e-commerce site? Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO, has become a fashion model!", originally appeared on ABMedia ABMedia .
