Alois Estermann

Alois Estermann (29 October 1954 – 4 May 1998) was a Swiss military officer. He served as the 31st Commander of the Pontifical Swiss Guard. Estermann and his wife were murdered in his apartment in Vatican City on 4 May 1998, the same day he was confirmed in his position after serving as acting commander for several months. His murderer, Vice Corporal Cédric Tornay, then killed himself. Estermann's death spawned numerous conspiracy theories.

Early life and career Estermann was born in Gunzwil, in the Canton of Lucerne. He grew up as a member of a farming family Estermann was eventually confirmed 4 May 1998. Tornay had earlier been reprimanded by Estermann for spending a night outside Vatican City without permission, and had been passed over for the Benemerenti medal routinely awarded to Guards after three years of service.

A mass was held for the Estermanns in St. Peter's Basilica, the first time this had been done for someone who was not a member of the clergy. John Paul II prayed for them.

The murder resulted in various conspiracy theories. In a 2011 history of the modern Vatican's military and police forces, Professor David Alvarez, of the Department of Politics at St. Mary's College of California, summarizes the various conspiracy theories before concluding that they "either remain unsubstantiated or have been thoroughly discredited".