Florida Woman Briana Boston Called Luigi Mangione Copycat After Alleged Blue Cross Insurance Threat

A Lakeland, Florida, woman named Briana Boston is being called Luigi Mangione’s copycat after she allegedly threatened a Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance representative over the phone. 

What Did Briana Boston Do?

Briana is a 42-year-old mother of three from Lakeland, Florida. On December 10, 2024, Briana contacted her insurance company, Blue Cross Blue Shield, “pertaining to recent medical claims of which she was denied,” the affidavit obtained by In Touch read. The phone call was recorded. 

“Near the end of the call, Boston stated in sum and substance, ‘Delay, deny, depose. You people are next,’” the affidavit continued. 

Boston seemingly used the phrase in reference to similar words written on shell casings found at the scene of the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City on December 4. 

When contacted by law enforcement and asked about her apparent threat, Boston “acknowledged she said it and apologized.”

“Boston stated she used those words because it’s what is in the news right now. Boston advised she learned of the phrase because of current events regarding the UnitedHealthcare homicide. Boston stated she did not own firearms, and she was not a danger to anyone,” the affidavit read. “Boston further stated that healthcare companies played games and deserved karma from the world because they are evil.”

Briana was charged with threats to conduct a mass shooting or act of terrorism, according to court documents obtained by In Touch. She is currently being held in maximum custody with her next hearing set for January 14, 2025.

GoFundMe Raises Money for Briana Boston’s Bond

After news of her arrest and alleged crime were made public, a GoFundMe page popped up titled “Support Briana Boston’s Bond Release.” 

“During a bond hearing, Boston’s lawyer said his client is married with three children and has no criminal record. He asked the judge to release her on her own recognizance. Instead, the judge set bond at $100,000,” the fundraiser read. 

While it’s unclear if the creator of the page is related to Briana or her case, as of publication the site has raised more than $25,000 of its $100,000 goal. 

Supporters were outraged, with one person writing, “Briana’s ‘threat’ was not specific nor was it believable. She spoke out of distress and abandonment after being denied health coverage.”

“This is completely unacceptable. Let’s get this poor woman home to her kids. They’re making it abundantly clear how capable corporations are of weaponizing the justice system against average citizens,” another added. 

Briana Boston Being Called Luigi Mangione’s Copycat

Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old Ivy League graduate from Maryland, was arrested on December 9, 2024, in connection with the murder of Brian Thompson. Mangione was named a “person of interest” after being recognized by McDonald’s employees in Altoona, Pennsylvania, five days after the murder. 

While motives behind the killing remain unknown, the shell casings with “deny,” “defend” and “depose” written on them seemingly reference a 2010 book titled Delay, Deny, Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don’t Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It.

Mangione was charged with two felonies for forgery and carrying a firearm without a license and three misdemeanor charges for tampering with records or identification, possessing instruments of crime and providing false identification to law enforcement in Pennsylvania. He was also charged with the murder of the CEO in New York. 

Luigi is currently behind bars challenging the extradition. He was denied bail.