Woman arrested after threatening bluecross workers, thwarting possible copycat crime

LAKELAND, Fla. — A Florida woman was arrested Tuesday after allegedly threatening a health insurance company employee, invoking a phrase connected to the recent high-profile killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

Briana Boston, 42, of Lakeland, was charged with making threats to conduct a mass shooting or act of terrorism after a phone call to BlueCross BlueShield regarding a denied medical claim turned contentious. According to a probable cause affidavit, Boston ended the call with the statement, “Deny, Delay, Depose. You people are next.”

The phrase “Deny, Delay, Depose” gained notoriety after investigators found variations of it written on shell casings used in the fatal shooting of Thompson in New York City last week. Luigi Mangione, who was arrested in connection with Thompson’s murder, allegedly authored a manifesto targeting health care companies.

FBI agents alerted Lakeland police to Boston’s threat, prompting officers to visit her home. According to the affidavit, Boston admitted to making the statement but expressed remorse. She told investigators she did not own any firearms and posed no danger. Police noted she had also said, “healthcare companies played games and deserved karma from the world because they are evil.”

Boston remains in custody at the Polk County Jail without bond, according to jail records. Her next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 14. She does not yet have legal representation listed.

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