3 Reasons Why Attractive Criminals Evade Scrutiny Too Easily

Alleged United Healthcare shooter, Luigi Mangione, has escaped public blame on social media. Here's how his looks, as well as other attractive criminals', have influenced public perception.

By Mark Travers, Ph.D. | January 03, 2025

Luigi Mangione was recently charged with fatally shooting United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City. Many on social media rushed to his his rescue, citing his smile, physique and charisma—branding his actions a form of social justice.

This perception has made him something of a "folk hero" or anti-hero to many. For good reason, not all mainstream media is as positive about the story, but there is a strong focus on his looks nonetheless. So, why are people drawn to this man and demanding his release when he's suspected of committing a crime in broad daylight? The "halo effect" could be to blame.

The halo effect is an unconscious act of stereotyping, where you notice one positive quality about a person and attribute other positive qualities to them, which may not be true. This could explain bias elsewhere, such as in hiring practices where recruiters hire more conventionally attractive candidates than others, simply because they "seem" more kind, intelligent or qualified due to their looks.

Here are three possible reasons why attractive criminals garner so much attention and favor.

1. Their Charisma Can Influence Public Perception

The idea of a charismatic person being a killer is intriguing to many. The 1970s American serial killer, rapist and necrophiliac Ted Bundy—who confessed to at least 30 murders—was the talk of the town long after his execution in 1989.

Society plays a significant role in amplifying the halo effect around criminals like Bundy. Media coverage often emphasizes their charm or intelligence, which can inadvertently glamorize their heinous acts.

This portrayal conflicts with societal expectations of killers, who are often stereotyped as outcasts or visibly dangerous individuals. Instead, charismatic killers challenge these stereotypes by adhering to societal norms of attachment, commitment and belief systems. This contradiction fascinates the public and fosters intrigue, as seen in the enduring legacy of Bundy's story, even decades later.

A 2016 study in the International Journal of Forensic Sciences highlights how societal factors, such as an unstable or abusive childhood, dark personality traits and severe mental illness can contribute to the making of a killer.

However, charismatic killers like Bundy complicate this narrative by blending into society, using their charm and performative social skills as a tool to manipulate others and mask their true intentions. Bundy's lack of empathy and attraction to risk-taking may have driven his actions, but his charm significantly impacted how his crimes were perceived and how he lured in his victims.

The halo effect also clouds public judgment about such individuals. Their charisma diverts attention from understanding the deeper psychological and societal factors that may have contributed to their crimes. This bias underscores the need for a critical analysis of how societal perceptions and media representations can unintentionally romanticize or normalize the actions of charismatic criminals.

2. Social Media Trends Can Romanticize Attractive Criminals

Social media may amplify the halo effect surrounding criminals, influencing public perception in ways mainstream media often cannot. With many people favoring social media over traditional news outlets for entertainment and information, this shift impacts how criminals are portrayed and perceived. Content on these platforms can glorify their actions, fostering distrust in mainstream narratives while creating a sense of intimacy with the accused.

For example, less than a month after getting arrested, Mangione has been turned into a sex symbol on social media, with users glorifying not just his actions but also his appearance. Viral videos feature close-up shots of his face as he is taken into custody, focusing on his style and looks.

This glorification has reached absurd heights, with some even arguing he couldn't be the perpetrator—citing differences between the eyebrows of the masked killer and Mangione's bare face.

This phenomenon aligns with a broader trend—a 2021 survey conducted by The Reuters Institute revealed that the U.S. has some of the lowest trust in news media globally, with only 29% of respondents expressing confidence in it.

As global trust in news grew slightly after the pandemic, this stark distrust in mainstream media could be a key factor driving audiences to social media for sensationalized narratives that reinforce the halo effect.

3. We Have An Innate Desire To Find Meaning In Criminal Acts

The halo effect plays a pivotal role in shaping public perception of individuals like Mangione, where perceptions of positive traits or actions obscure the immorality of their crimes. In Mangione's case, his Ivy League background and his justification for his actions—addressing systemic issues in the U.S. healthcare system—contributed to a perception of him as a hero rather than a criminal.

Society's desire to find meaning in criminal acts, especially when tied to widely recognized injustices, amplifies the halo effect. Mangione's alleged crime, while feeling reprehensible, resonated with a portion of the public who share his frustration with the inequities in the healthcare system.

As Dr. Paul Kooistra explains in a study published in Symbolic Interaction, such "heroic criminals" often emerge during periods of widespread disillusionment with institutions, embodying a form of deviance that appears to challenge systemic flaws rather than embody pure malice.

The halo effect in this context stems from Mangione's ability to present his crime as an act of innovation, where goals are pursued through unconventional or illegal means when legitimate avenues are perceived as inaccessible. This appeals to the public's shared grievances, leading some to overlook the violence of the act in favor of the larger "message" he represents.

This dynamic also highlights the role of the audience in constructing the idea of deviance. Without an audience to contextualize and interpret his actions, Mangione's alleged crime might simply be categorized as senseless violence. Instead, his background, perceived intellect and alignment with public frustrations creates a narrative that elevates him in the eyes of many, despite the gravity of these actions.

The halo effect holds the dangerous power to influence legal outcomes, and more so, the "court" of public opinion. Regardless of the source of information, maintaining balanced narratives is crucial to ensure that such crimes are not excused or normalized any longer.

Do you often feel deeply attached or drawn to public figures? Take this science-backed test to learn about your level of parasocial connection: Celebrity Attitude Scale

A similar version of this article can also be found on Forbes.com, here.