2 Men Found Dead at Versace Mansion Nearly 24 Years After Gianni's Murder

Miami Beach police confirmed to E! News that two deceased males were found inside a hotel room just one day before the 24th anniversary of Gianni Versace’s murder.

By Mike Vulpo Jul 15, 2021 5:38 PMTags
Watch: In Memoriam: Fallen Stars of 2021

Tragedy has hit the former Versace mansion once again.

On Wednesday, July 14—nearly 24 years to the day Gianni Versace was murdered there—Miami Beach police responded to the property now known as The Villa Casa Casuarina Hotel after receiving a call from housekeeping that they had discovered two deceased males.

According to authorities, police and fire rescue did in fact locate two bodies inside of a hotel room known as the Villa Suite.

Based on the incident report obtained by E! News, the preliminary investigation revealed the discovery was an apparent double suicide. Police say both males had gunshot wounds to the head and were unresponsive. The cause of death will officially be determined by the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner's Office at a later date.

The discovery comes just one day before the 24th anniversary of the murder of Gianni, who was gunned down in the mansion.

Followers of the case (or avid American Crime Story viewers) may recall the fashion designer was returning home from a morning walk in 1997 when Andrew Cunanan allegedly delivered a fatal shot to the back of the head. Eight days later, Andrew killed himself on a houseboat in North Miami Beach.

photos
American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace: How the Cast Compares to Their Real-Life Counterparts

The passing of Gianni has attracted the eyes of Hollywood in recent years. Ryan Murphy previously explored his murder in the second installment of FX's true crime anthology series American Crime Story.

iShootPhotosLLC/Getty Images

The season would earn multiple Emmy wins including Outstanding Limited Series and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series thanks to Darren Criss' performance as Andrew.

The mansion itself, originally built in 1930, was purchased by Gianni in 1992. According to the hotel, the fashion designer invested an additional $32 million in renovations, adding the south wing, the pool and garden and turning the 24 apartments into 10 large suites in the original house and an additional two new suites in the south wing.

After his death, the property was sold and transformed into a hotel and event space. While some of Gianni's belongings were auctioned off in April 2001 for a reported $28 million, pieces from the Versace era still remain in the property.

According to the hotel, visitors can experience the richly decorated walls, floors, ceilings and windows, as well as the pool, garden and entire south wing.

—Reporting by Holly Passalaqua 

If you or someone you know needs help, call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the network, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.