It was 29 years ago when I first visited Miami for the Daily Mirror. But it was in much sadder circumstances than covering England in a World Cup. I had been sent to cover the assassination of Gianni Versace. He was shot twice in the head and his blood dripped down the steps of his ocean front mansion in images which shocked the world.
Miami in Mourning
Miami was devastated. The city - particularly the South Beach area - treated the fashion icon as one of their own. He lived in a stunning mansion Casa Casuarina right on South Beach overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. He was shot after returning from buying magazines and having a coffee at the local News Cafe.
A huge manhunt was launched and his killer Andrew Cunanan was eventually cornered eight days later in a houseboat. He shot himself leaving many questions unanswered. It was an extraordinary time in Miami. Police knew Cunanan was the killer but he had vanished into thin air.
City in Fear
No-one knew where he was but they suspected he was still in the greater Miami area. This led to a state of fear in the city as locals wondered if he would strike again. Eight days later - on July 23rd - the caretaker of a luxury houseboat moored at Collins Avenue and 54th Street in Miami Beach noticed the lock had been broken and entered to find someone sleeping inside.
He called the police but when they stormed the boat they found the body of Cunanan inside - he had shot himself. Versace was Cunanan's fifth and final victim during a cross-country killing spree that began in April 1997.
Princess Diana and Elton John at the Funeral
Princess Diana attended Versace’s funeral - tragically, of course, she died just a month later. She was famously photographed comforting a distraught weeping Elton John. Versace famously described his profound connection to the city by saying: "Here in Miami, I've finally found what I was looking for: the centre of my circle. I want to stay here and live out my time… forever." They were tragically poignant words.
Versace's Mansion Today
Versace’s house was later sold and is now a luxury hotel. The entrance is via the steps where he was shot. The house was originally built in 1930 by the architect, author, and philanthropist, Alden Freeman. Freeman was the heir to the Standard Oil fortune. In 1992, the mansion was rundown and desperately needing repairs and it was purchased by Versace. He spent millions on pounds renovating it. Today it operates as a luxury boutique hotel, restaurant and event venue.
Thousands of England fans will walk past the house in the next 24 hours. Some, of a certain age, will remember what happened and will stop and pause to pay their respects.
