MarieClaire
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Bridal
  • Podcasts
  • Beyond Beauty
  • Video
MarieClaire
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Bridal
  • Podcasts
  • Beyond Beauty
  • Video
MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows
Watch 4:43

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows

{headline}

{headline}

The Best Australian Podcasts, From True Crime To Pop Culture

The Best Australian Podcasts, From True Crime To Pop Culture

Netflix's 'The Ripper' Will Take Viewers Into The Chilling Case Of The Yorkshire Ripper

Netflix's 'The Ripper' Will Take Viewers Into The Chilling Case Of The Yorkshire Ripper

Netflix's 'Carmel' Investigates The Mysterious Murder Of Socialite María Marta

Netflix's 'Carmel' Investigates The Mysterious Murder Of Socialite María Marta

Why Did Ted Bundy Not Kill His Girlfriend, Elizabeth Kloepfer?

Why Did Ted Bundy Not Kill His Girlfriend, Elizabeth Kloepfer?

{headline}

{headline}

This New True Crime Docuseries Explores The Dark World Of Catfishing On A Whole New Level

This New True Crime Docuseries Explores The Dark World Of Catfishing On A Whole New Level

Why Are More Mothers Killing Their Children?

Why Are More Mothers Killing Their Children?

9 Shows To Watch After 'Behind Her Eyes' For Those Who Miss Feeling Perpetually Stressed

9 Shows To Watch After 'Behind Her Eyes' For Those Who Miss Feeling Perpetually Stressed

{headline}

{headline}

Australia's Gender Pay Gap Shrinks As Men Join Lower Earning Roles Amid COVID-19

Australia's Gender Pay Gap Shrinks As Men Join Lower Earning Roles Amid COVID-19

'MasterChef's' Newest Season Promises To Be Its Most Diverse (And Delicious) Yet

'MasterChef's' Newest Season Promises To Be Its Most Diverse (And Delicious) Yet

California Here We Come! Rumour Has It, 'The O.C.' Could Be Getting A Reboot

California Here We Come! Rumour Has It, 'The O.C.' Could Be Getting A Reboot

Does Lymphatic Drainage Massage Actually Work?

Does Lymphatic Drainage Massage Actually Work?

Your Weekly Horoscopes Are Here! February 26th - March 4th

Your Weekly Horoscopes Are Here! February 26th - March 4th

Prince William And Kate Middleton Are Reportedly Upset By The Sussexes Interview With Oprah

Prince William And Kate Middleton Are Reportedly Upset By The Sussexes Interview With Oprah

HBO's 'Allen V. Farrow' May Make Woody Furious, But It Finally Gives Mia And Dylan A Voice

HBO's 'Allen V. Farrow' May Make Woody Furious, But It Finally Gives Mia And Dylan A Voice

  1. Home
  2. Lifestyle

5 Theories Behind The Assassination Of Gianni Versace

The 'strangers' theory may be the most intriguing. - by Sukriti Wahi
  • 30 Oct 2020
5 Theories Behind The Assassination Of Gianni Versace

Considering the world's perverse fascination with all things true crime, it comes as no surprise that the most recent instalment of the American Crime Story franchise, The Assassination Of Gianni Versace, was such a smash hit and inspired an array of new theories surrounding the fashion designer's death.

Twenty-two years since his murder outside of his Miami Beach mansion, five different hypotheses regarding Versace's links to serial killer Andrew Cunanan (played by Darren Criss) have emerged after the the show's on-screen depiction.
Here, we dive deep and recap the five theories behind Gianni Versace's death.
Gianni Versace

The 'Homophobia' Theory

Some are speculating that the Miami police were somewhat responsible for the death of Gianni Versace (played by Édgar Ramírez), given the homophobia that dominated society at the time. Many of Andrew Cunanan's victims were gay, and some have speculated this lead to a less-thorough investigation into his multiple murders.
"He wasn't caught because he was targeting gay people, and people didn't care," the show's director Ryan Murphy told Entertainment Weekly. "The more I had read about it the more I was startled by the fact that [Cunanan] really was only allowed to get away with it because of homophobia."
According to Rolling Stone: "Those involved with The Assassination of Gianni Versace have suggested that homophobia, particularly within law enforcement, decreased the urgency of the investigation, as if a gay man who kills other gay men was considered less of a threat worth prioritizing than the average heterosexual spree killer."
versace assassination

The 'Strangers' Theory

Arguably one of the most unclear aspects of the series' retelling of the story is the true nature of the relationship between Versace and Cunanan, if there even was one. The premiere episode of the show portrays Versace and Cunanan meeting in the VIP section of a nightclub in 1990, were a frustrated Versace is eventually charmed by Cunanan's story about his mother's childhood in Italy. The pair later go on a date to the San Francisco Opera, where Versace was a costume designer at the time.
According to the Versace family, however, the designer had never encountered Cunanan prior to his murder. The family claim that at that point in Gianni's life, he was highly focused on his work, always going to bed early and completely committed to his long-term relationship.
Andrew Cunanan

The 'HIV' Theory

Some reports allege that Cunanan had told his friends that he was HIV-positive, and that he was killing past paramours out of vengeance for possibly infecting him.

An autopsy, however, revealed that Cunanan was actually HIV-negative. Versace's family have always maintained that the designer did not have HIV.

versace assassination

The 'Nature Vs. Nurture' Theory

One theory suggests that Andrew Cunanan was a pathological liar but that despite that, wasn't actually born a psychopath. It's been alleged that he became one during his time at the elite Bishop's School in La Jolla, where he was forced to hide the fact that his parents were not wealthy and could not afford his tuition from his classmates.

versace assassination

6 issues for $35 -

Subscribe to marie claire

Subscribe Now
6 issues for $35

6 issues for $35 -

Subscribe to marie claire

Subscribe Now
6 issues for $35

Recommended to you

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows
Watch 4:43

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows

{headline}

{headline}

The Best Australian Podcasts, From True Crime To Pop Culture

The Best Australian Podcasts, From True Crime To Pop Culture

Netflix's 'The Ripper' Will Take Viewers Into The Chilling Case Of The Yorkshire Ripper

Netflix's 'The Ripper' Will Take Viewers Into The Chilling Case Of The Yorkshire Ripper

Netflix's 'Carmel' Investigates The Mysterious Murder Of Socialite María Marta

Netflix's 'Carmel' Investigates The Mysterious Murder Of Socialite María Marta

Why Did Ted Bundy Not Kill His Girlfriend, Elizabeth Kloepfer?

Why Did Ted Bundy Not Kill His Girlfriend, Elizabeth Kloepfer?

{headline}

{headline}

This New True Crime Docuseries Explores The Dark World Of Catfishing On A Whole New Level

This New True Crime Docuseries Explores The Dark World Of Catfishing On A Whole New Level

Why Are More Mothers Killing Their Children?

Why Are More Mothers Killing Their Children?

9 Shows To Watch After 'Behind Her Eyes' For Those Who Miss Feeling Perpetually Stressed

9 Shows To Watch After 'Behind Her Eyes' For Those Who Miss Feeling Perpetually Stressed

{headline}

{headline}

Australia's Gender Pay Gap Shrinks As Men Join Lower Earning Roles Amid COVID-19

Australia's Gender Pay Gap Shrinks As Men Join Lower Earning Roles Amid COVID-19

'MasterChef's' Newest Season Promises To Be Its Most Diverse (And Delicious) Yet

'MasterChef's' Newest Season Promises To Be Its Most Diverse (And Delicious) Yet

California Here We Come! Rumour Has It, 'The O.C.' Could Be Getting A Reboot

California Here We Come! Rumour Has It, 'The O.C.' Could Be Getting A Reboot

Does Lymphatic Drainage Massage Actually Work?

Does Lymphatic Drainage Massage Actually Work?

Your Weekly Horoscopes Are Here! February 26th - March 4th

Your Weekly Horoscopes Are Here! February 26th - March 4th

Prince William And Kate Middleton Are Reportedly Upset By The Sussexes Interview With Oprah

Prince William And Kate Middleton Are Reportedly Upset By The Sussexes Interview With Oprah

HBO's 'Allen V. Farrow' May Make Woody Furious, But It Finally Gives Mia And Dylan A Voice

HBO's 'Allen V. Farrow' May Make Woody Furious, But It Finally Gives Mia And Dylan A Voice

MarieClaire
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • Beauty Crew
  • Home Beautiful
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • New Idea food
  • New Idea
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • Practical Parenting
  • All Recipes
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • Airtasker
  • 7NEWS
  • SocietyOne
  • Health Engine
  • Starts at 60
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from Marie Claire

Magazine Subscription Offer

6 issues for $35 -

Shop This Offer
6 issues for $35