What Is Andrew Cunanan's IQ?

Andrew Cunanan: The Versace Killer With a 147 IQ

Andrew Cunanan is a serial killer who had a IQ of 147. His mind was sharp, his memory exceptional, and his conversational skills were magnetic. This intelligence, combined with a flair for storytelling, allowed him to blend effortlessly into high society. He created elaborate stories, often spinning tales about a wealthy background and prestigious education. According to Vanity Fair, he told people that his dad was an "Israeli millionaire", or a "Fifth Avenue aristocrat".

It wasn't just his charm that drew people in. It was his ability to adopt any persona that would suit his needs. Yet, this intelligence did not steer him toward a happy and fulfilling life. Instead, his path would be marked by a series of devastating decisions, culminating in a tragic killing spree.

A tragic spiral of rejection and obsession

Andrew’s downfall was tied closely to his need for admiration and acceptance in circles he idealized. Despite his high IQ, he struggled with a sense of inadequacy, a gap between his self-perception and the life he actually led. He was known for his ability to recall details, his skill at remembering facts from an encyclopedia he read as a child. But this sharp mind turned inward. He started to feel a deep resentment when his charms failed to keep the attention and admiration he craved.

The rejections from his former friends and lovers, like Jeffrey Trail and David Madson, hit hard. Rather than adapt, he turned to violence. A choice that revealed the fragile balance between his intelligence and his emotional instability. This shift marked the beginning of a string of brutal crimes, starting with the murder of Trail, whom he bludgeoned to death with a claw hammer. Shortly after, he killed Madson, his former lover, deepening the sense of loss and rejection that drove him. From there, his actions grew more desperate, traveling to Chicago to kill real estate developer Lee Miglin in a particularly violent attack, and later murdering William Reese, a cemetery caretaker, seemingly to steal his car. Each of these murders highlighted his growing instability and desperation. The final act in this tragic journey was his encounter with Gianni Versace, a figure whose status and lifestyle represented everything Cunanan aspired to. Killing Versace may have been his desperate attempt to claim a place in the world he felt excluded from. Just eight days after the high-profile murder, Cunanan took his own life on a houseboat in Miami Beach, using the same gun he used to kill Versace. His suicide ended a nationwide manhunt. Andrew Cunanan left behind tons of unanswered questions about his motives and a legacy of fear and tragedy that still lingers.

5 Facts That Illustrate Andrew Cunanan's Sad Legacy'

• High IQ Score: Andrew Cunanan demonstrated his calculating mindset through an estimated IQ of 147. This level of intelligence far exceeded the average.
• Elusive Strategist: Cunanan evaded capture for months, showcasing his ability to think steps ahead of law enforcement by using various disguises and aliases. He committed four murders and ultimately killed himself before facing punishment for his crimes.
• Manipulative Interactions: Utilizing his charm and intelligence, Andrew manipulated those around him for personal gain. He carved a path of deception and betrayal.
• Detailed Planning: His crimes displayed a high level of premeditation and planning, including the acquisition of necessary tools and profiling potential victims.
• Cryptic Messages: Before and during his killing spree, Cunanan left cryptic messages and signs that hinted at his future actions, baffling investigators.

Andrew Cunanan's Score on the IQ Spectrum

Andrew Cunanan's IQ of 147 means he was among the top 0.09% in terms of intelligence. To give you some perspective, this score surpasses the minimum IQ required to join Mensa International (130 IQ), Intertel (135 IQ), Cerebrals Society (141 IQ) and even the Triple Nine Society (146 IQ) which only accepts the smartest 0.1%.

Andrew Cunanan vs. Other Criminals: Here's How Their IQ Compare

Andrew Cunanan’s story is often compared with other criminals with exceptional IQ. With an IQ of 147, Andrew was outpaced by few, but one was Keith Raniere, whose 240 IQ became infamous for its manipulative power in the NXIVM cult. While Raniere used his intellect to construct a twisted network of control, Cunanan’s own brilliance fueled a different kind of ambition, one rooted in the desire for wealth and recognition.

Nathan Leopold, with his 210 IQ, also found a way to use his mind for sinister purposes. His collaboration with Richard Loeb in a notorious murder plot echoed the dark potential of intelligence without a moral compass. Like Leopold, Cunanan’s crimes seemed to spring from a feeling of superiority, a belief that he could outsmart those around him. But where Leopold’s crime was a single, calculated act, Cunanan’s was a spree of escalating violence.

In many ways, Cunanan’s actions reflected the tension between his intellectual potential and the reality of his life. His 147 IQ put him just behind Ted Kaczynski, the "Unabomber", whose 167 IQ drove him to attack society through a series of carefully orchestrated bombings. Unlike Kaczynski, whose writings were rooted in a complex philosophy, Cunanan's motives were more personal, driven by rejection, jealousy, and a need for status.

Others in this troubling league, such as Andrew Cunanan himself and Jeffrey Dahmer (IQ 145), show that a high IQ doesn’t necessarily lead to success or stability. Dahmer, whose cannibalistic crimes horrified the world, failed to control his compulsions despite his intelligence. Cunanan, in contrast, seemed always in control... until the illusion of his crafted life began to crumble.

What lessons can we learn from Andrew Cunanan's IQ? Reflect with us in the comments section below!

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