While many hypotheses exist today about the death of Gianni Versace, there is only one thing we can know for sure: the only two people who know the intent of the murder of Versace are dead.

These two people are Gianni Versace, and his killer, Andrew Cunanan.

The designer died 22 years ago yesterday, on July 15, 1997, at the age of 50. 

It's been 22 years since Gianni Versace left us. We love and miss you terribly. pic.twitter.com/X6GkcM5xvV

— IAMFASHION (@IAMFASHlON) July 15, 2019

Although there is an official story of his death, as outlined in The Murder of Gianni Versace on Netflix, there remain many doubts about its accuracy. The death is one of the most senseless and complex murders in crime history. 

The Versace family has called the series “a work of fiction.”

The official version sees Andrew Cunanan as responsible for the death of the Italian designer, as confirmed also by Antonio D’Amico, partner of Gianni Versace, who saw the man leave the villa shortly after the shots were fired. 

The murder occurred early in the morning after Versace had gone on a walk to retrieve his morning papers. Within seconds upon his arrival home, Versace was left in a pool of blood on the elegant steps of the Versace mansion. At the time, Versace was at the top of the fashion world, living as an openly and happily in love gay man, and had designed for and socialised with the likes of Princess Diana, Elton John, and Madonna. 

Although we can know for sure the date and cause of death, what is still unknown is the intent of the murderer. Many presume that Cunanan was overcome by drug addiction and mental instability, as this was his fifth murder. He is known to have been a manipulative liar, who used relationships with other men to live a luxurious life of travel and wealth. Some think the murder was a ploy for Cunanan to gain fame. 

But, doubts remain about the randomness of the murder for many reasons.

Firstly, the two had only met once in 1990 in San Francisco. The Versace family still denies that the two had ever met. Without a true connection between the two, many wonder how Cunanan could have developed a motive for killing Versace. 

Secondarily, after killing Versace, Cunanan was found dead in a houseboat, having died by suicide. Both his and Versace’s bodies were cremated without an autopsy. 

The lack of connection between the two and missing autopsies have left sceptics wondering, was the supposed murder a ploy to cover up a different cause of death? Was there pressure from the Versace family to close a complex and dangerous murder?

There are also theories about a cover-up of Versace’s illegal investments in Miami property and involvements in drug trading. 

The death of Versace will remain a mystery forever. 22 years later, doubt is as strong as ever that Cunanan is solely responsible for the death of the head of the Italian design empire.