‘Cold as ice’ and smirking: Luigi Mangione’s perp walk body language decoded

Luigi Mangione’s highly publicized perp walk in New York City — flanked by dozens of heavily armed officers — has sparked mixed reactions online, but body language experts suggest there's much more to the moment than meets the eye.
Mangione, extradited from Pennsylvania, arrived via helicopter after being identified as the prime suspect in the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. His walk through the streets of New York was a spectacle in itself, drawing both fascination and curiosity. However, body language experts are delving deeper into the subtle signals he sent during the brief but intense moment.
Mixed emotions in his expression
Forensic psychiatrist Carole Lieberman, M.D., M.P.H., was quoted by the Daily Beast as explainging Mangione’s facial expression, which according to him, told a complex story. "He’s not a happy camper being under the control of all these law enforcement officers," Lieberman said, observing Mangione’s discontent at being in custody. "But his smirk reveals a sense of pride, even satisfaction, at having necessitated such an overwhelming police presence."

Lieberman speculates that Mangione, despite his violent actions, is not a sociopath but rather someone whose big ambitions were clouded by personal struggles. "The shooting was his last hurrah to make a lasting statement, much like the Unabomber, to correct what he perceived as the unfairness of the world, especially concerning insurance claim denials," Lieberman explained, as quoted by the Daily Beast.
Calm yet defiant

Psychotherapist Jonathan Alperts agreed that it’s difficult to diagnose someone’s mental health condition based solely on a video. However, he notes that Mangione’s calm demeanor during the perp walk could be a sign of silent defiance or a sense of acceptance of his fate. "His composed appearance might indicate that he’s resigned to the situation but still holds a certain level of coolness and control," Alperts said.

A calculated and confident posture
Fred Cuellar, a New York-based body language expert, analyzed Mangione’s walk with a different perspective, focusing on his physical stance. "Slumped shoulders, looking at the ground—there’s a sense of concern, like, ‘I don’t want to trip over myself,’" Cuellar noted. But despite this subtle unease, Cuellar also observed Mangione’s "open posture" and confidence. "His shoulders are back, his head is up—he’s already figured out how to move without stumbling."

Cuellar explained that Mangione’s body language suggested a defiant attitude, unwilling to appear defeated or ashamed. "His posture is often associated with strength and control, refusing to show weakness," Cuellar said. He also pointed out that Mangione’s tendency to look around could indicate a strategic assessment of his surroundings, potentially seeking familiar faces or media attention.

The coldness in his eyes
Trauma therapist Shari Botwin pointed out a chilling aspect of Mangione’s body language: his eyes. "His eyes are cold as ice," Botwin said, emphasizing that Mangione’s gaze did not convey any empathy for the alleged crime or its victims. "He does not display any remorse for the impact of his actions," she concluded.

A calculated criminal
Comparing Mangione’s calm, almost smug demeanor in the perp walk to earlier images of him filled with "pure rage," Cuellar suggested that the two sides of Mangione—the calculated and the volatile—are part of the same persona. "This is a man who laid in wait, and there’s nothing innocent about him," Cuellar remarked. "One day, we may know his reasons, but for now, it’s clear that he is very, very calculated."