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Unmasking Luigi Mangiones’s Reddit

By utilizing Samac.io, a tool which allows for alternative search of Reddit posts/comments – including the ones that have been deleted from the platform, it was possible to determine the username of Luigi Mangione´s alleged Reddit account.

By searching r/Spondylolisthesis using the tool, with the appropriate filters provided, it was possible to narrow the comments down to a relatively small selection, which could easily be searched to match the quote: “My back and hips locked up after the accident” – A direct quote from CNN´s article making the connection. Matching the username to the quote, revealed the username “Mister_Cactus” was the author behind the comment.

But the trail did not end there. In 2016 Mister_Cactus linked to what is almost certainly Luigi Mangione´s GitHub account. The GitHub account uses Luigi´s picture s for its profile photo, as well as utilizing “mangione” as part of its username. Ultimately making the circumstantial evidence quite convincing.

Mister_Cactus, brain fog and lyme

Mangione´s alleged account – Mister_Cactus, has posted two comments in total mentioning lyme disease. At the age of 13, he was diagnosed and treated promptly. Two years later, at the age of 15, he started noticing a slowly progressing cognitive decline. As his symptoms progressed he was re-tested again in around the age of 17. The test came back negative.

Going by the dates of the comments (July 5 and July 6), it does not appear it was something that was investigated much from that point on. That is despite seemingly finding a lot of common overlaps with another user. Going by Mister_Cactus´s comment, it would be suggested both users were treated for lyme in the early stages and later went on to develop similar symptoms. The comments were made in the subreddit – r/brainfog, where Mister_Cactus described his regression from a straight A student, to someone having to put in twice the hours, even debating dropping out of school.

His posts describe using chess as a metric to gage the improvement of his brain fog. He would play against his room-mate daily, until he eventually quick, because he could not remember any moves. Quality of life suffered greatly from the brain-fog, pass-time activities were no longer enjoyable. The ability to concentrate was a thing of the past, even for mundane activities such as watching YouTube or playing video games

“He would use the same moves against me day after day and I just wouldn’t remember them.”

“The days when I don’t have any work seem to be the worst. Struggling to understand lectures and homeworks is difficult, but having the same level of difficulty when trying to watch youtube or read an interesting book is even worse – I can’t even enjoy my free time.”

Posts quoted:

A relatable killer

A fellow “Reddit detective” who managed to find the Mister_Cactus Reddit profile preemptively archived numerous posts, anticipating their removal. One thing what stands out immediately when going through the health-related posts, is the empathy and optimism Mister_Cactus projected. “Cactus” contentiously tried to be a resource for others. Quite the contrast to someone committing a cold-blooded murder

The dichotomy of the actions of a killer, and the person displayed on Reddit is a stark difference. Going through the archives posted on Reddit paints the picture of a young man with a disdain for the American health-care model, but also an emphatic young man trying to be a light for others, as he tried to find his own way back to health.

Conclusion:
The connection between the Mister_Cactus Reddit account and Luigi is almost irrefutable. As more details are released, it will be interesting to cover, how the brain fog played a role in his progression, from health-troubled kid, to a man committing premeditated murder.