A group of fangirls have been out in full force this week, not for a glimpse at a heart-throb movie star, but to support a man fighting murder charges.<\/p>\n
Luigi Mangione is accused of shooting and killing Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, in New York City. <\/p>\n
The 28-year-old could be looking at a lifetime behind bars if he is found guilty.<\/p>\n
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To the casual onlooker, seeing women treat a high-profile murder suspect as a pop icon might be baffling, but it\u2019s far from an anomaly. <\/p>\n
Experts warn the obsession strongly mimics a phenomenon known as hybristophilia.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a psychological condition where someone is romantically or physically attracted to a person who has committed, or is accused of committing, violent crimes.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s also commonly known as Bonnie and Clyde Syndrome, and it\u2019s a path well-travelled in true crime history. <\/p>\n
Notorious killers like Ted Bundy, Charles Manson and Jeffrey Dahmer had their own fiercely loyal fandoms from behind bars, despite the atrocities they committed. <\/p>\n
Bundy received up to 200 love letters a month during his 1980s trial. <\/p>\n
Even after he was found guilty of the murders of 30 women, with criminologists suspecting there could be up to 100 victims, his fandom wasn\u2019t deterred. <\/p>\n
Mangione\u2019s fans have dubbed themselves the \u201cMangionistas\u201d, and while it is impossible to diagnose individuals, experts say there is a psychological motivator behind this kind of fandom.<\/p>\n
Supporters have donned \u201cfree Luigi\u201d merchandise and cheered praise as he has been led to court. <\/p>\n
Most controversially, this week a group of women obtained press passes to enter the courtroom, declaring the victim\u2019s children were \u201cbetter off without him\u201d in an interview with New York Post.<\/a><\/p>\n It\u2019s a statement that sparked criticism, with Australian Sky News host Rita Panahi among those speaking out. Panahi called the women \u201ccallous\u201d and \u201cvicious\u201d. <\/p>\n \u201cThey were openly endorsing murder. Openly celebrating murder,\u201d she said during a segment on her show <\/a>earlier this week. <\/p>\n In the comment section of news reports about Mangione\u2019s trial on TikTok, many women leave comments of infatuation.<\/p>\n \u201cSexiest man alive 2026,\u201d one declares. <\/p>\n Another adds: \u201che is soooo hot.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSuch a beautiful person. He deserves so much better than this,\u201d a third adds. <\/p>\n