Theories concerning his death Alois Estermann

swiss guard in traditional uniform

the homicide has led various theories why murder happened.

according book l agent secret du vatican (2004), journalist victor guitard, markus wolf, former no. 2 of east german secret police stasi, declared estermann had been stasi agent since 1979.
according piece edited fabio croce, 3 murdered vatican killer, due estermann s deep knowledge of small state s trafficks. according book poteri forti ferruccio pinotti, estermann in 1981 repeatedly travelled poland coordinate arrival of military equipment scandinavia support polish anti-communist organization solidarity.
the text bugie di sangue in vaticano (1999), written group of vatican ecclesiastics , lays cannot continue avail, silence, official truth told vatican , supports hypothesis estermann pope s personal guard, , killed in course of supposed struggle between opus dei , masonic parties within vatican hierarchy, both attempting annex swiss guard.
the british journalist, john follain, undertook extensive interviews inform book, city of secrets: truth behind murders @ vatican (2006). follain dismisses speculation estermann, wife, , tornay murdered external fourth party or estermann spy former east german government. follain s research indicated cédric tornay did indeed kill commander, , commander s wife before turning gun on himself. reportedly tornay found running of swiss guard archaic, , resented dominance of swiss german majority contingent. according follain, tornay turned alois estermann affection, , had short homosexual affair. relationship deteriorated acrimony tornay realised estermann had betrayed him guard. estermann s close links opus dei movement, , final refusal award benemerenti medal 3 years service led further frustration , tornay s ultimate decision kill estermann.

in published history of modern vatican s military , police forces professor david alvarez, of department of politics @ st. mary s college of california, summarizes various conspiracy theories, before concluding either remain unsubstantiated or have been thoroughly discredited .