Shein investigates the murder suspect used to advertise their clothing. Image- BBC News.
(The Post News)– Shein the fast-fashioned retailor launched an internal investigation after a product listing on its website featured the likeness of Luigi Mangione.
The man accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York last year. The image showed a man resembling Mangione wearing a white, short-sleeved shirt. The listing remained on Shein’s site until the company took it down. Reports indicate that the shirt was being sold for just under $10 (£7.50).
Shein Investigates Launches Probe Into the Matter
A Shein spokesperson told BBC News that the image came from a third-party vendor and confirmed that the company removed it immediately after identifying the issue. “The image in question was provided by a third-party vendor and was removed immediately upon discovery,” the spokesperson said.
“We maintain strict standards for all product listings and are currently conducting a thorough investigation. We are also tightening our monitoring procedures and will take appropriate action against the vendor in line with our policies.” It remains unclear how long the image remained live or which vendor uploaded it to Shein’s platform.
The incident comes amid ongoing legal proceedings involving 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, who was arrested in December. In April, he pleaded not guilty to all federal charges related to the fatal shooting of Brian Thompson. Prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty if he is convicted.
Public reaction to Thompson’s killing has ignited widespread debate over America’s privatised healthcare system. While many expressed outrage, others controversially hailed Mangione as a folk hero, with supporters gathering outside the courthouse during his hearings. Anger toward private health insurance companies has fueled the case’s visibility on social media platforms.
As Mangione’s trial gained attention, anonymous donors contributed thousands of dollars to his legal defense via various online fundraisers. Platforms like Etsy saw a surge in products featuring his name, while Amazon removed similar listings.
Meanwhile, the McDonald’s worker who allegedly alerted authorities to Mangione’s location became the target of online abuse, and the fast-food chain faced a wave of negative reviews. Even the Altoona, Pennsylvania police department, which carried out the arrest, reportedly received death threats.
Cultural critic Blakely Thornton, commenting in December, noted that Mangione’s appearance often displayed in shirtless social media posts has played a role in public fascination. Thornton argued that American society is “programmed” to trust and empathize with men who look like Mangione, which may help explain his growing online following. This controversy marks yet another instance where Mangione’s image or name has created problems for major brands and platforms.
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