Lee Miglin, a 72-year-old male of Lithuanian descent, was a prominent real estate developer and business tycoon. On May 4, 1997, he was found brutally murdered in the garage of his Gold Coast mansion in Chicago. His death was part of a cross-country killing spree carried out by Andrew Cunanan, a spree killer who murdered five people before taking his own life.
Miglin's murder was particularly gruesome—he had been tortured with a screwdriver and garden saw, his ribs broken, his wrists bound, and his head wrapped in tape. His throat was slashed ear-to-ear, and his feet were bound with masking tape. The brutality of the crime left investigators and the public in shock.
The investigation into Miglin's murder revealed that Cunanan had arrived in Chicago after killing two acquaintances in Minneapolis. A Jeep with Minnesota plates found near the crime scene was traced back to Cunanan, who was already wanted for the previous murders. The Cook County warrants for Cunanan's arrest stated that he had killed Miglin by binding him, beating him, stabbing him, and slashing his throat. Despite speculation that Cunanan may have known Miglin or his family, the FBI found no credible evidence to support this claim. Some experts believe that Miglin was simply a victim of opportunity rather than a targeted attack.
Following Miglin's murder, Cunanan stole the victim's green Lexus and fled the scene. His killing spree continued, culminating in the high-profile murder of fashion designer Gianni Versace in Miami Beach. The nationwide manhunt for Cunanan lasted for weeks, with law enforcement agencies working tirelessly to track him down. Ultimately, Cunanan was found dead in a houseboat in Miami, having taken his own life before authorities could apprehend him.
Miglin's murder left a lasting impact on his family and associates. His wife, Marilyn Miglin, a successful cosmetics entrepreneur and television personality, was devastated by the loss. Their son, Duke Miglin, struggled with the tragedy for decades, carrying the weight of his father's brutal death. The case remains one of the most infamous murders in Chicago's history, remembered for its sheer brutality and its connection to one of the most notorious killing sprees in American history.
