FBI brought in to probe Versace slaying

Suspect to be announced at 8 p.m. EDT

In this story:

Serial killer speculation
Courtier to stars and royalty
Related stories and sites

July 15, 1997
Web posted at: 7:09 p.m. EDT (2309 GMT)

MIAMI BEACH (CNN) -- The FBI has been brought in to help probe the execution-style slaying Tuesday of world-renowned fashion designer Gianni Versace. Police say they will announce the leading suspect in the case at 8:00 p.m. EDT.

Police have interviewed witnesses who saw a gunman fire two bullets into Versace outside his Miami Beach mansion in a killing that plunged the fashion world into shock and mourning.

Authorities believe he was deliberately targeted, but have not arrested anyone for the crime. "We're not releasing the name or picture of any suspects," Miami Beach Police Chief Richard Barreto said during a press conference.

Police said the fashion designer was shot by a white man in his mid-20s, dressed in a white or gray shirt and dark shorts, and carrying a backpack.

Officers later cordoned off a five-story municipal parking garage near the shooting scene after a witness saw a man fitting the description of the suspect. WTVJ-TV in Miami reported police found clothing under a red pickup truck in the parking garage and believed the clothes belonged to the suspect.

"The FBI was called because they have more resources," Barreto said. "Versace was a global individual and has traveled extensively."

Serial killer speculation

Andrew Philip Cunanan
FBI 10 Most Wanted

Speculation at the news conference focused on suspected serial killer Andrew Cunanan, who was described by FBI spokeswoman Anne Figueiras as one of the agency's 10 most wanted criminals. Police said Cunanan stole a red pickup truck after his last known slaying.

The FBI suspect Cunanan in a cross-country killing spree earlier this year. He is charged with the slaying of David Madson, a Minneapolis architect whose body was found May 3, and is wanted for questioning in the April beating death of Jeffrey Trail of Bloomington, Minnesota. He is a suspect in the killing of Chicago real estate developer Lee Miglin and has been linked to the death of William Reese, a New Jersey cemetery caretaker.

"We're looking into the possibility" of Cunanan's involvement in Versace's slaying, the FBI's Kevin Ricket said in Minneapolis. "We're looking into anything that is even close."

"We don't have any confirmation of names," Figueiras said. "We're following up tips."

Couturier to stars and royalty

Versace, couturier to stars and royalty, was shot twice in the back of the head at point-blank range by the lone gunman who immediately ran away, police and witnesses said. He was left slumped on the steps of his mansion on trendy Ocean Drive.

Versace, 50 and a bachelor, symbolized Italian fashion to the world and dressed the likes of Princess Diana, singers Madonna, Sting and Elton John, and actresses Demi Moore and Elizabeth Hurley. He had built a multi-million-dollar empire after learning the basics of fashion from his mother

He was killed as he walked back to his white-walled, Mediterranean-style mansion from buying magazines at the News Cafe on Ocean Drive, a beach-front street of renovated art deco hotels and trendy restaurants.

Message Board: Post your comments on the Versace shooting

Related sites:

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

Andrew Phillip Cunanan - FBI 10 Most Wanted
Giani Versace - from Moda Online Magazine
Versace Home Page - from VIABAZAAR, a web site dedicated to the best of Italian fashion
Gianni Versace - Designs - from Firstview Collections On-Line
Made in Italy: Versace
Versace - Shopping Guide
Gianni Versace: On-Line

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.

Sound off on our message boards

Tell us what you think!

You said it...