Florida prosecutors have dropped a felony charge against a woman accused of making threats against her health insurance company after being denied a claim. The woman, 42-year-old Briana Boston, had allegedly referenced the phrase “Delay, Deny, Depose” during a phone call with a representative of BlueCross BlueShield. Authorities had initially taken the statement seriously, given its similarity to language connected to a recent high-profile killing of a health insurance executive.
Boston was originally charged with making threats to conduct a mass shooting or an act of terrorism, but the case was dismissed earlier this month. Prosecutors did not specify the reason for dropping the charge, though her lack of criminal history and apparent lack of intent to carry out any violent act were likely factors.
Boston, a married mother of three, had no prior convictions or charges before this incident. After her arrest in December, she was granted bond and allowed to attend her children’s medical appointments and school activities while awaiting further legal proceedings.
The case stemmed from a phone call Boston made to her insurance provider regarding a denied claim. Frustrated with the outcome, she allegedly ended the call with the statement, “Deny, Delay, Depose. You people are next.” The phrase gained attention because investigators had discovered similar words “deny,” “defend,” and “depose” handwritten on the shell casings used in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City. The alleged shooter in that case, Luigi Mangione, had written a manifesto condemning health insurance companies, which further raised concerns about Boston’s comments.
After being alerted to the situation, local police visited Boston’s home to interview her. She reportedly admitted to making the statement but expressed remorse, clarifying that she did not own firearms and had no intention of harming anyone. She also reportedly criticized the practices of health insurance companies, calling them “evil” and stating that they deserved consequences for their actions.
In response to growing concerns following the murder of Thompson, many health insurance companies have increased security measures. Some have removed online profiles of executives, while others have hired personal security personnel. The heightened precautions reflect broader anxieties about escalating tensions between consumers and the healthcare industry, especially in cases where policyholders feel mistreated or financially burdened by denied claims.
Despite the initial severity of the charge against Boston, the decision to drop the case suggests that authorities ultimately did not see her as a legitimate threat. While her words echoed a recent tragic event, the context and intent behind them appeared to differ significantly from the violent act that had prompted widespread concern.
