Luigi Mangione is 'moved' by his newfound world fame and the fans lusting over him after he allegedly killed UnitedHealthcareCEO Brian Thompson, DailyMail.com has learned.
The 26-year-old alleged assassin, who pleaded not guilty on Monday to state murder and terror charges, has received thousands of dollars in donations and hundreds of handwritten letters in jail, a legal insider said.
Mangione even shared the proceeds of his notoriety with his fellow inmates in Pennsylvania, who have also expressed support for him and might have even helped him get a 'glow up' before his extradition to New York City.
The source said the prisoners who were heard yelling in support of Mangione during a News Nation live cast 'did it so that Luigi could hear them.'
Despite the massive attention the case has gathered, the world has yet to hear from Mangione, who has remained silent aside from an outburst before his first court appearance where he claimed authorities were 'disrespecting the intellect of the American people.
But DailyMail.com has learned that since that court appearance, where he was unshaved and frazzled, Mangione learned of the public's adoration of him after he was shown articles reporting the massive fixation on the accused killer.
Mangione has captivated the nation following Thompson's murder, with memes, merchandise and religious-themed candles that glorify him popping up all over the internet.
A source close to Mangione said he is 'extremely aware of the massive fan base he has right now.' He was 'shocked and really choked up' when he first saw the support he has received, which 'gave him confidence and reassurance that he will be okay.'
The IVY league graduate is said to be used to receiving attention from 'men and women alike' but 'not to this level.'
Mangione is 'moved' by the public's bizarre fixation on him, which has extended to other prisoners, who might have helped him get a haircut and shave before his extradition to NYC.
Mangione reportedly knew that the perp walk as he arrived in NYC would be 'over the top' - as did his fellow inmates in Pennsylvania who knew it would be one of the last times the world got to see the alleged killer.
'Prisoners of his caliber do not get special treatment inside prison... His glow up was an inside job and this is due to the fact he has become a kind of vigilante of sorts,' the source said.
'The barbershop head had to go to him to make this happen. Prisoners generally cannot get a haircut let alone a fade eyebrows and a facial.'
'It was bizarre to guards and prison staff how he had become a hero in the inside and outside,' the source added.
'This has made it a lot easier for him during his PA time his transition and his NYC time.'
Mayor Eric Adams and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch stood among a throng of heavily armed officers last Thursday when Mangione was flown to a Manhattan heliport and escorted up a pier after being extradited from Pennsylvania in a scene straight out of a Hollywood film.
Mangione's lawyer Karen Agnifilo said in court on Monday that police turned his return to New York into a choreographed spectacle. She called out Adams’ comment to a local TV station that he wanted to be there to look 'him in the eye and say, "you carried out this terroristic act in my city."'
'He was on display for everyone to see in the biggest stage perp walk I’ve ever seen in my career. It was absolutely unnecessary,' she said.
Authorities say Mangione gunned down Thompson as he was walking to an investor conference in midtown Manhattan on the morning of December 4.
Mangione was arrested in a Pennsylvania McDonald’s after a five-day search, carrying a gun that matched the one used in the shooting and a fake ID, police said. He also was carrying a notebook expressing hostility toward the health insurance industry and especially wealthy executives, according to federal prosecutors.
At a news conference last week, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said the application of the terrorism law reflected the severity of a 'frightening, well-planned, targeted murder that was intended to cause shock and attention and intimidation.'
'In its most basic terms, this was a killing that was intended to evoke terror,' he added.
Mangione is being held in a Brooklyn federal jail alongside several other high-profile defendants, including Sean 'Diddy' Combs and Sam Bankman-Fried.
During his court appearance Monday, he smiled at times when talking with his attorneys and stretched his right hand after an officer removed his cuffs.
Outside the courthouse, a few dozen supporters chanted, 'Free Luigi,' over the blare of a trumpet.
Earlier on Thursday, fans with placards in Pennsylvania flocked to see the alleged killer whose good looks have made him a pin-up for some internet users, outraging many others appalled by Mangione's alleged crimes.
At least two of them were dressed as Luigi from the Super Mario Bros video game.
Several TikTok users shared on the platform that they had driven as much as six hours to attend the court appearance.
Some reportedly flew in from as far as California to support the alleged assassin.
