Backpack company under fire for police tip in death of UnitedHealthcare CEO

Threats continue to funnel in surrounding the death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, and they’re not for the suspected killer. Peak Design, a San Francisco based backpack company, is under fire for its alleged involvement in the case.

Peak Design CEO Peter Dering, and his employees, are receiving backlash after reports he called police with a tip to help find Luigi Mangione, 26.

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On Dec. 5, Dering told The New York Times that he called the police tip line when he was alerted about the shooter wearing his company’s design in a surveillance video.

During the interview, Dering said he would do anything to help track the killer down, but said he would have to check with his general counsel to see what details he could release to authorities.

His comments caused some users on social media to turn against the company, calling Dering a “snitch.” TikTok videos now share users recommending to remove serial tags from their backpacks, which are typically used to track them if they are lost or stolen.

The negative public response pushed the CEO to send an email to customers. He said he takes their privacy seriously and misinformation on social media has led to serious threats for him and his employees.

 “I ask that you please consider the facts we are providing here and continue to instill trust in the Peak.”

Statement by Peak Design CEO Peter Dering

Dering said hundreds of people called into the tip line when they saw the familiar bag they identified to be one of the company’s.

Following the shooting of Thompson earlier this month in Manhattan, the backpack was later found discarded along with an amount of Monopoly money and a jacket.

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Dering confirmed it was the older version of the Everyday Backpack, a product his company currently sells. He wrote Peak Design did not aid the police by providing any customer information, and the bag didn’t have a serial number to identify the owner.

Dering reassured customers he would only comply if a court order pushed him to release buyer details.