Luigi Mangione’s image has been splashed across newspapers and social media since his arrest in relation to the murder of UnitedHealthCare CEO Brian Thompson earlier this month. Despite pleading not guilty to the crime, the 26-year-old’s arrest has highlighted a startling rise in a specific mental condition as people worldwide overlook his alleged crimes to swoon over his appearance.
Hybristophilia, or “Bonnie and Clyde Syndrome”, is an attraction to individuals who commit crimes, with those affected often dismissing the criminal actions of their object of affection. While idolising famous or infamous figures is nothing new, one relationship expert warns that hybristophilia could have serious repercussions in real life.
Anne-Sofie Koktved, from DatingXperten.de, explained: “Romanticising criminals, no matter how charismatic they appear, often reveals deeper relational issues, such as a subconscious acceptance of harmful behaviours or an attraction to dominance that can mask control or manipulation. Understanding the psychology behind this attraction is crucial for breaking harmful cycles and focusing on building healthy, balanced relationships.”
She cautioned that individuals with hybristophilia may consistently encounter five specific trends in all their adult relationships.
The expert highlighted that these warning signs of hybristophilia can often lead individuals into unhealthy or even abusive relationships without them being aware. They may extend the same leniency they show towards infamous criminals, such as the Ivy-league student, to their partners, excusing their crimes or abusive tendencies and intentionally seeking out overpowering or dominant partners, reports Gloucestershire Live.
As a result of their parasocial relationships with these notorious criminals, they might be more prone to justify or completely overlook red flags of abuse or toxicity in their daily lives while yearning for the emotional validation and security they aren’t receiving from the famous person they admire. She urgently recommended those who might recognise these signs in their relationships to seek professional advice and support if necessary to navigate their way out of these hybristophilia dynamics.
This psychological phenomenon has been increasing over recent years, largely due to social media. Apart from Luigi, the most recent surge of hybristophilia was Jeremy Meeks.
In 2014, the blue-eyed gang member was arrested on felony weapons charges, which he pleaded guilty to in 2015 but not before his mug shot went viral on social media with countless women worldwide swooning over his looks. However, in this case, the hybristophilia seemingly changed his life for the better as the then-30-year-old was soon signed by a modelling agency and has been walking runways instead of jail cells ever since.