Fashion giant Shein has been slammed for using an image of infamous Luigi Mangione to model a patterned shirt. The 26-year-old American was accused of murdering United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson last year and became something of an icon online, despite his alleged crimes.

The Chinese company has launched an investigation into how the photograph, now removed, managed to make it live. A statement read: "The image in question was removed immediately upon discovery.

"We have stringent standards for the content of listings on our platform", the spokesperson added.

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"We are conducting a thorough review and are strengthening our monitoring processes."

The image appears to show a smiling Mangione, currently in prison, wearing a patterned white shirt reportedly on sale for £7.50. The murder suspect, who became a folk hero online after assassinating billionaire Thompson, was also heralded as a heartthrob by some. It is currently unknown how the photos were made, but many have speculated that AI was involved.

Mangione was arrested in December after a days-long manhunt for Thompson's murderer. Thompson made billions as the CEO of private health insurance company UnitedHealthcare, which had become notorious for denying ailing Americans - including, allegedly, Mangione - access to healthcare and treatment.

The spent cases and ejected cartridges used to execute Thompson, who was shot in the leg and back, had the words "delay", "deny", and "depose" written on them, believed to be a reference to an insurance-industry motto, "Delay, Deny, Defend", which summarises how to avoid paying insurance claims.

A backpack containing Monopoly money was also found in Central Park by New York police, near to where the crime took place.

Mangione is currently facing trial on charges of murder and stalking and is facing the death penalty if convicted.