Roxane Gay Calls for Release of Man Convicted in CEO's Killing at Harvard Event
Rutgers professor and Harvard Medical School artist-in-residence Roxane Gay's remarks came during a panel on fatness and healthcare.
Roxane Gay, a Rutgers University professor and an artist-in-residence at Harvard Medical School, called for the release of Luigi Mangione during a recent panel discussion. Mangione pleaded guilty in August to federal stalking charges resulting in death in connection with the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Gay made the "Free Luigi" comment during a Harvard Medical School event focused on the intersection of fatness and healthcare. When the discussion turned to the health insurance industry, Gay stated, "Free Luigi, for one," and subsequently characterized the industry as "equal opportunity evil."
Gay, who is the first cousin of former Harvard President Claudine Gay, later clarified her remarks in a statement to Fox News Digital. She explained her "Free Luigi" comment stemmed from "utter frustration" with the health insurance industry, which she believes prioritizes profit over patient care. She acknowledged that murder is wrong and stated that Mangione was clearly dealing with mental health issues when he committed the crime.
"I don't think his mental health issues will be addressed in a carceral setting," Gay said. "He should be in a setting where he can get actual help, not in a place that might exacerbate the mental illness that drove him to commit murder."
Mangione pleaded guilty on August 14 to two federal stalking charges resulting in death. He is scheduled to be sentenced in federal court on December 18 and faces a maximum potential sentence of life in prison. He also faces a second-degree murder charge, several weapons charges, and a forged-instrument charge in New York state court, where his case remains pending.
Harvard University issued a statement regarding Gay's affiliation, noting that for the 2026-2027 academic year, she is an artist-in-residence for the Master of Science in Media, Medicine and Health and the Media and Certificate Program at Harvard Medical School. The university clarified that the views expressed by speakers at events are their own and do not represent Harvard Medical School or Harvard University.