Former FBI special agent explains why alleged UnitedHealthcare CEO assassination suspect's name is being kept secret.

The retired FBI special agent explained why the authorities have not yet disclosed the identity of the suspected assassin who shot UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on Wednesday in New York City.

Revealing the suspect's name early could alert them and jeopardize the NYPD and FBI's work in both the manhunt and criminal probes, according to Jason Pack, who spoke to Planet Chronicle Digital.

"If officers are closing in on the suspect, publicly outing his name could prompt him to flee, increasing the risk of missing him at his current location."

Within hours of the release of a full-face photo of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing suspects, investigators received a flood of tips.

"Probable cause must be established through careful investigation, with every detail scrutinized to meet legal standards," Pack said.

"Withholding the name of the suspect gives investigators an advantage, as the public's curiosity will eventually lead to the truth being revealed."

Pack, a retired supervisory special agent, has experience as an on-scene FBI spokesperson, collaborating with federal, state, and local law enforcement on high-profile cases, such as the Boston Marathon bombing investigation.

On "Planet Chronicle Live" Saturday, former D.C. homicide Det. Ted Williams, a Planet Chronicle contributor, shared Pack's sentiments and expressed optimism about finding Thompson's murderer.

"According to Williams, who spoke to host Eric Shawn, the FBI has joined the search for the wannabe professional hitman. Williams believes that the walls are closing in on him and it's only a matter of time before he is caught. The FBI has a clear picture of him that is being posted all over the country."

The FBI's involvement in the search will expedite the investigation's conclusion, according to Williams.

"The former detective stated that New York's facial recognition technology is restricted to the city, but with the FBI's involvement, they can access a national database, which will greatly aid the investigation."

On Wednesday, just before 7 a.m., Thompson was shot outside a New York City hotel and passed away less than 30 minutes later. Detectives are currently examining several pieces of evidence left behind by the suspect, including a backpack, a water bottle, a phone, and shell casings.

According to Bloomberg, investigators discovered a jacket in the backpack that may be linked to the murder, not a gun.

The suspect wore a backpack during the murder, but it is unclear if it was the same backpack captured by the surveillance camera.

NBC News also reported Saturday that Monopoly money was found inside the backpack.

The killer is playing games with the authorities in a cat and mouse game, as they know they will likely be found with the backpack. They are leaving breadcrumbs to show that they are in control, not the authorities.

The New York Post reported that New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed that authorities are "closing in" on the suspect who killed Thompson as the manhunt reached its fourth day.

At a Police Athletic League holiday party in Harlem on Saturday, Adams stated to reporters that "the noose is getting tighter."

The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward information about the murder suspect.

The suspect is believed to have left New York City soon after Thompson's death and immediately biked into Central Park, discarding evidence.

Planet Chronicle Digital's Andrea Margolis contributed to this report.

Stepheny Price is a writer for Planet Chronicle Digital and Fox Business. If you have story tips or ideas, you can send them to [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]).