Jesse Weber

And that was really the key The dim lighting casts an eerie glow, accentuating the grainy texture of the footage. A faint smile plays on his lips, almost out of place, a cryptic expression that could be amusement, confidence, or something far more chilling. A scarf or gaiter wraps around his neck, concealing the lower half of his face, adding to the anonymity.

And that was really the key The dim lighting casts an eerie glow, accentuating the grainy texture of the footage. A faint smile plays on his lips, almost out of place, a cryptic expression that could be amusement, confidence, or something far more chilling. A scarf or gaiter wraps around his neck, concealing the lower half of his face, adding to the anonymity.

His jacket is thick, practical, blending into the muted tones of the background.

His jacket is thick, practical, blending into the muted tones of the background.

It was a calculated move, one that ignited a flood of tips from concerned citizens and brought them closer to their suspect, who was still at large. No one knew where he was. But law enforcement knew one thing. He was on the run. A national alert went out. Federal agents and the Joint Terrorism Task Force joined the hunt.

It was a calculated move, one that ignited a flood of tips from concerned citizens and brought them closer to their suspect, who was still at large. No one knew where he was. But law enforcement knew one thing. He was on the run. A national alert went out. Federal agents and the Joint Terrorism Task Force joined the hunt.

Facial recognition software scoured thousands of surveillance images looking for the man in the hood.

Facial recognition software scoured thousands of surveillance images looking for the man in the hood.

At 6.56 a.m., he emerges from Central Park, riding swiftly into the waking city. The streets are beginning to stir, but he moves with purpose, weaving through the morning. By 6.58 a.m., surveillance cameras capture him at 85th Street and Columbus Avenue, still on the e-bike, cutting through the early rush with precision.

At 6.56 a.m., he emerges from Central Park, riding swiftly into the waking city. The streets are beginning to stir, but he moves with purpose, weaving through the morning. By 6.58 a.m., surveillance cameras capture him at 85th Street and Columbus Avenue, still on the e-bike, cutting through the early rush with precision.

But just two minutes later, at 7 a.m., he abandons the bike, now moving northbound on 86th Street on foot, blending into the flow of pedestrians. At 7.04 a.m., he hails a cab, slipping into the backseat. His escape is in motion. By 7.30 a.m., he's seen near the George Washington Bridge, close to the Port Authority bus station on 178th Street.

But just two minutes later, at 7 a.m., he abandons the bike, now moving northbound on 86th Street on foot, blending into the flow of pedestrians. At 7.04 a.m., he hails a cab, slipping into the backseat. His escape is in motion. By 7.30 a.m., he's seen near the George Washington Bridge, close to the Port Authority bus station on 178th Street.

The final piece of footage shows him stepping inside, the doors closing behind him. And then, he's gone. Cameras and police had lost him. But they did find another clue deep in Central Park. While canvassing with drones, police noticed something out of place, a discarded backpack hastily hidden behind a pile of leaves.

The final piece of footage shows him stepping inside, the doors closing behind him. And then, he's gone. Cameras and police had lost him. But they did find another clue deep in Central Park. While canvassing with drones, police noticed something out of place, a discarded backpack hastily hidden behind a pile of leaves.

Inside was a Tommy Hilfiger jacket and bizarrely, a stack of Monopoly money. It was strange, almost taunting. Was this a message? A game? This early on in an investigation, those questions don't matter.

Inside was a Tommy Hilfiger jacket and bizarrely, a stack of Monopoly money. It was strange, almost taunting. Was this a message? A game? This early on in an investigation, those questions don't matter.

While the NYPD were on their breathless hunt, news of the murder sent shockwaves through the country. The CEO of one of America's largest corporations gunned down in broad daylight? It seemed unthinkable. At United Healthcare headquarters in Minnetonka, Minnesota, the company lowered its flags to half staff. Brian Thompson's colleagues, family, and friends were in mourning.

While the NYPD were on their breathless hunt, news of the murder sent shockwaves through the country. The CEO of one of America's largest corporations gunned down in broad daylight? It seemed unthinkable. At United Healthcare headquarters in Minnetonka, Minnesota, the company lowered its flags to half staff. Brian Thompson's colleagues, family, and friends were in mourning.

But outside corporate boardrooms, a different reaction was forming. Online, the unknown assailant's actions became a symbol. Was this an act of vengeance against a system that had denied health care to millions? It was only a matter of time before the public would get their answer. Five days later came the tip that cracked the case across state lines.

But outside corporate boardrooms, a different reaction was forming. Online, the unknown assailant's actions became a symbol. Was this an act of vengeance against a system that had denied health care to millions? It was only a matter of time before the public would get their answer. Five days later came the tip that cracked the case across state lines.