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The clothing company Shein said it has opened an internal investigation after its website briefly displayed a shirt listing featuring an image resembling Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, in New York last year.
The image appeared to show Mangione in a short-sleeved white shirt, and the top was reportedly priced at just under $10.
In a statement shared with various media outlets, the company said, “The image in question was provided by a third-party vendor and was removed immediately upon discovery.”
Exactly when and for how long the shirt was on sale is unclear, with Shein uploading thousands of products every day, but searches for “Luigi Mangione Shein” on Google spiked on Tuesday and the listing began circulating across social media.
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An archived posting of the product description for the “Men’s New Spring/Summer Short Sleeve Blue Ditsy Floral White Shirt” shows the item was nearly sold out, with only one size left in stock.
Mangione, 27, was arrested last December and charged in connection with the fatal shooting of Thompson. In April, he pleaded not guilty to all federal counts, including murder and stalking, and awaits trial. Prosecutors have announced they will pursue the death penalty if he is found guilty.
After the killing, some people opposed to the US healthcare system framed Mangione as a folk hero, with some rallying outside the courthouse during his appearances and contributing thousands of dollars to Mangione’s defense fund. Some online retailers, including Etsy, saw a wave of merchandise using his name. Amazon said it had removed any such products from its site.
Shein, founded in China, has built its global reputation on inexpensive, fast-moving fashion trends that attract gen Z and younger millennials. The company has also faced repeated criticism over labor practices, including allegations of forced labor that the company has denied, as well as scrutiny for its environmental footprint.
By Marina Dunbar
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