FBI seeks help in finding serial killing suspect

Karen Zekan

Tuesday, June 17, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

The FBI is appealing to Southern Nevadans for help in tracking down a 27-year-old man wanted in connection with four murders that have earned him a spot on the agency's "Ten Most Wanted Fugitives" list.

Andrew Phillip Cunanan is considered armed and dangerous and could be anywhere in the U.S., according to Special Agent Aurelio Flores. He is known to have ties to the gay community, wears glasses, speaks several foreign languages, and has used the alias Andrew Phillip DeSilva.

"He comes across as being docile, but is a serious criminal," Flores said.

"People think of killers as having bad breath, tattoos, and when you see someone like that coming at you, you're more alert. This fellow is mild mannered, a good dresser and places you at ease. He uses that to get to people, and then they lose their lives."

Cunanan's suspected killing spree began in Minnesota, where the body of Jeffrey Trail was discovered inside the apartment of David Madson, who was also found murdered at an undisclosed location.

Authorities determined that Madson and Trail were acquaintances of Cunanan, and that Cunanan fled Minnesota in Madson's Jeep Cherokee bound for Illinois.

A short time later, police found Madson's Jeep abandoned on the same Chicago street where they were investigating the murder of Lee Miglin.

Miglin's 1994 Lexus was later found in a cemetery parking lot in Pennsville, N.J., where William Reese, a local cemetery caretaker, was discovered murdered on May 9.

Cunanan may be driving Reese's red 1995 Chevrolet pickup truck with a dark interior bearing New Jersey license plate KH993D, which was reported missing at the time of Reese's death.

A native of San Diego, Cunanan has been described as a white male, 5 feet 9 to 5 feet 10, 160-180 pounds, with brown eyes and brown hair. Authorities believe Cunanan might attempt to alter his appearance and may be wearing either short or long hair.

"Cunanan often portrays himself as wealthy and lives a flamboyant lifestyle, although he may not have been employed in recent years," Flores said.

Because Cunanan has ties to the gay community and has had at least one gay victim, the FBI is additionally notifying the Las Vegas Bugle and other gay publications across the U.S. to inform their readers.

"We want to prevent this fellow from befriending someone else," Flores said.

A $10,000 reward has been offered for Cunanan's arrest. Authorities ask that the public take no action themselves, but instead contact the nearest FBI office or local law enforcement agency. The Las Vegas FBI number is 385-1281. Any sightings made outside the U.S. should be reported to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Cunanan is the 449th person to make the FBI's "Ten Most Wanted Fugitives" list which began in 1950. Since then, 420 fugitives have been apprehended or located and 131 of them as a result of citizen assistance.

Cunanan is profiled on the FBI's Internet home page, which has recently resulted in the arrest of two other fugitives. The FBI's home page address is: http:// www.fbi.gov.