The Italian fashion guru and tycoon Gianni Versace (December 1946 – July 1997), founder of one of haute couture's most flamboyant and renowned empires, was shot dead outside his villa in Miami Beach Tuesday morning in what police called a carefully planned murder.

Versace was shot dead on the steps of his mansion in July 1997 at the age of 50 years old. The couturier and business mogul was returning from a stroll to pick up newspapers and breakfast on Ocean Drive. He had just unlocked the gates of his home when he was killed. Many of the world's prominent people saw Versace as a very "great and talented man".

Versace was killed by Andrew Cunanan. Andrew Phillip Cunanan (August 1969 – July 1997) was an American spree killer who murdered at least five people. They include: fashion designer Gianni Versace and Chicago tycoon Lee Miglin. Cunanan performed his actions during a three month period in mid-1997.

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