Luigi Mangione’s recent months in Asia were marked by adventure and unexpected encounters, including an experience with Thai ladyboys, before he found himself at the center of a high-profile murder accusation.

The 26-year-old was taken into custody last December, linked to the shooting death of Brian Thompson, the head of United Healthcare, on a Manhattan street. He was charged that same month and has remained in the Metropolitan Detention Center in New York since then.

Prior to his involvement in this gripping legal saga, Mangione embarked on a backpacking journey across Asia. During his travels, he crossed paths with American tourists, including soccer player Christian Sacchini and his companion.

In an interview with the New York Times, Sacchini recounted meeting Mangione in March 2024, just months before the murder allegations would arise.

Sacchini’s unnamed friend shared that after connecting with Mangione, he received a WhatsApp message detailing Mangione’s vibrant nightlife experiences in Thailand.

One message said Mangione was ‘beaten up by seven ladyboys,’ and lost his phone in a taxi. A ‘ladyboy’ is the English translation of ‘katoey,’ which refers to a transgender woman. 

Mangione had also sent a photo to Sacchini’s friend of his scratched-up arm after the encounter. 

Mangione met the two American travelers at the Stumble Inn in Bangkok. He told the two that he grew up in Maryland and had been living in Hawaii. 

Luigi Mangione, seen in court last month, is accused of murdering executive Brian Thompson

Two American travelers recently revealed in an interview with the New York Times that they met Mangione when they were in Bangkok. The city’s red light district is pictured

Mangione reportedly had an encounter with seven ‘ladyboys’ while traveling in Thailand 

They said that they spoke with Mangione for hours about Sacchini’s soccer career in Thailand, artificial intelligence, and even the healthcare industry in the US. 

Mangione reportedly was shocked when the athlete told him how much an MRI scan cost in the country.  

Sacchini’s friend showed the Times several photos of their time with Mangione in Thailand, including a photo of the alleged murderer standing in a marijuana dispensary. 

Mangione had planned on traveling with the men to Vietnam, but decided to go to Japan instead. 

In a voice memo to Sacchini’s friend, Mangione said that although Vietnam sounded fun, he yearned to slow down from the chaos. 

‘I think I want to stay here for like maybe a month and just like meditate, just hot spring and do some writing,’ the message said, according to the Times. 

When Mangione arrived in Tenkawa, a small Japanese village in the Nara Mountains, he sent his new friends another voice note, detailing how beautiful the area was. 

‘I’m just going to Zen out and do some, do some Buddha,’ he told them, according to the Times. 

One of the travelers Mangione befriended on his trip told the New York Times that he was ‘beaten up by seven ladyboys’ (Pictured: The Soi Cowboy street in Bangkok) 

Mangione had met the men at the Stumble Inn (pictured), in Bangkok, the same year he was arrested for murder 

Mangione had reportedly planned on traveling with the two men but decided instead to go to Japan (Pictured: A shrine in Tenkawa) 

During his time abroad, Mangione also had a video call with British writer Gurwinder Bhogal after subscribing to his Substack newsletter.

Bhogal told the Times that Mangione mentioned he was surrounded by people who were not on his wavelength and that he craved a community of like-minded individuals. 

Mangione had stayed in a small inn during his time in Tenkawa. The inn’s owner, Juntaro Mihara, told the Times that he stayed there for six days and left the room immaculate. 

‘If asked who would be the most impressive and tidiest guest ever in my business record, I’ll answer it’s him,’ Mihara said. 

Mihara added that he didn’t see Mangione using any electronics and primarily spent his time at the inn’s bar writing in his journal or reading a book. 

Mangione also reportedly had a video call with British writer Gurwinder Bhogal 

Mangione met soccer player Christian Sacchini (pictured) while backpacking in early 2024 

Prosecutors obtained Mangione’s journal in the investigation into the murder charges against him. 

A passage Mangione wrote after returning to the US stated that he ‘finally’ felt confident in what he was about to do in an excerpt obtained by the Times. 

By the summertime, he was living in San Francisco, and his writings began to allude to his plans for fighting injustice.

‘The details are finally coming together. And I don’t feel any doubt about whether it’s right/justified. I’m glad – in a way – that I’ve procrastinated, bc it allowed me to learn more about UHC,’ he wrote in an August entry. 

Mangione currently faces both federal and state charges for murdering Thompson last November in Midtown, Manhattan 

Mangione is currently facing New York state and federal charges for Thompson’s murder.

A judge ruled last week that his trial in Pennsylvania, where he was arrested, is on hold until he can appear in person in court. Mangione has refused to appear in court remotely.

Federal officials haven’t allowed Mangione to be transferred for court appearances until his New York case plays out. 

He is scheduled to appear in court for litigation on December 1, according to his Legal Defense Information page.