Andrew Cunanan

Andrew Cunanan FBI Photo - cropped

Andrew Phillip Cunanan (August 31, 1969 – July 23, 1997) was an American spree killer who murdered five people, including fashion designer Gianni Versace, over a three-month period in 1997. His crimes, motives, and personality have been the subject of extensive media coverage, forensic investigations, and public fascination.

Early Life

Andrew Cunanan was born in National City, California, to Modesto Cunanan, a former Filipino Navy serviceman and American citizen, and Mary Anne Schillaci, an Italian-American. Cunanan was the youngest of four children. He was raised in a middle-class neighborhood and showed early signs of high intelligence. Cunanan attended The Bishop's School in the La Jolla neighborhood of San Diego, where he was remembered as being bright but also a prolific liar. After high school, he enrolled at the University of California, San Diego, but dropped out after a few years.

Criminal Activities

Cunanan's killing spree began in April 1997. His first victim was Jeffrey Trail, a former naval officer and friend, whom Cunanan beat to death in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A few days later, he murdered his former lover, architect David Madson, in Minnesota as well. Cunanan then killed real estate developer Lee Miglin in Chicago and caretaker William Reese in New Jersey. His final victim was the world-renowned fashion designer Gianni Versace, whom he shot on the steps of Versace's Miami Beach mansion on July 15, 1997.

Manhunt and Death

Cunanan's murder of Versace led to a nationwide manhunt. He evaded capture for several days, hiding in plain sight and changing his appearance. The search ended on July 23, 1997, when Cunanan committed suicide by gunshot in a Miami houseboat. His motives for the killings remain unclear, and he left no suicide note.

Legacy and Media

Cunanan's killing spree and the high-profile murder of Gianni Versace have been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, and a season of the television series American Crime Story, titled The Assassination of Gianni Versace. His life and crimes raise questions about celebrity culture, the nature of obsession, and the complexities of his psychological profile.

See Also

• Serial killer
• Spree killer
• Gianni Versace