Alphonse Gangitano: Melbourne’s Black Prince of Crime
Alphonse Gangitano was no ordinary criminal. He was not merely a name on a police file—he was the name that reigned supreme in Melbourne’s underworld in the ’80s and ’90s. Slick suits, charm that could fill a room, and a temper that could empty one just as quickly—Alphonse was a man who danced on the edge of elegance and violence.
He was nicknamed the “Black Prince of Lygon Street,” and although it sounds like the name of a mobster thriller, to Alphonse, it was deserved, using power, terror, and charisma.
From Catholic Schoolboy to King of Carlton
Born on April 22, 1957, in Melbourne to Italian parents, Alphonse Gangitano was raised in a traditional Catholic family. He attended private schools—De La Salle and Marcellin College—and appeared, at least on the surface, to be following a pretty straight course. But it did not take long for that picture to shatter.
Alphonse Gangitano was a magnet for trouble—or perhaps trouble was a magnet for him. By the time he reached his teens, he was knee-deep in the local underworld. He began with minor crime, but ambition and street cunning soon saw him stand out from the crowd. He wasn’t merely a street thug—he had bigger ambitions. Power, money, and fame.
Rising Through the Ranks of the Underworld
He eventually became an important member of the Carlton Crew, one of the most dominant of Melbourne’s organised crime families. These were the men who controlled the streets for gambling rackets and extortion, and Alphonse was a perfect fit. Dressed in his Sunday best and never going anywhere without a gold chain around his neck and designer footwear, he was the type of person who made a statement—and had you remembering it.
But don’t be misled by the style. He had a ruthless streak and wasn’t afraid to reveal it when the situation called for it. Some respected him, whereas Others feared him.
It was not all about the muscle, though. Alphonse Gangitano was a businessman as well. He had an interest in a King Street nightclub—allegedly on the up-and-up, but largely a money-laundering front for operating illegal business.
A Public Brawl That Made Headlines
In December 1995, Alphonse Gangitano was in the news for all the wrong reasons—once again. With associates Jason Moran and Tony Rapasarda, he was part of a brutal attack at the Sports Bar nightclub. The entire ordeal was on CCTV: fists flying, people yelling and mayhem all around. It was classic Gangitano—suave one moment, violent the next.
Though charges were filed, as is common with underworld crimes, it never held. Witnesses suddenly didn’t recall much. Some vanished.
Murder at Templestowe Mansion
On January 16, 1998, Alphonse was discovered shot dead in the laundry room of his mansion in Templestowe. Execution-style. Someone had entered his castle and killed the king.
Speculation went rampant, yet the most batted-around rumour? A beef with Jason Moran—a former supporter turned possible nemesis. Perhaps it was for cash, pride, or a soured deal. We may never know why.
Associates such as Graham Kinniburgh and John Kizon were at the house on that day or within a day or so. Kinniburgh actually discovered the body. His blood was present at the scene, but he wasn’t speaking. Nobody was. It was obvious: in that world, silence still prevailed.
What He Left Behind
Gangitano left behind his wife, Virginia and two daughters. His loved ones state that although he lived the way he did, he was a good family man. His wife supported him throughout the chaos, and his kids were spared from seeing the worst of his life on the streets.
His funeral was attended by Melbourne’s underworld heavyweights—sharp-suited men with grim faces. No one needed to say it, but everyone knew: the game had changed. With Alphonse dead, the rules were going to be rewritten.
A Legacy Written in Blood and Style
Alphonse Gangitano wasn’t an easy man. He wasn’t entirely evil. He had flashes of kindness, loyalty, and undeniable charm. But he also had a dark side—a side that ultimately destroyed him.
He has since been dramatised in books, documentaries, and most notoriously, in the Australian television series Underbelly. Vince Colosimo’s portrayal brought him to life once more for a new generation, capturing that special mix of cool and anarchy which made Alphonse so indelible.
To some, he’s still a glamorous gangster, a man who lived big and enjoyed the limelight. To others, he’s a warning—a reminder that crime, however flashy it may appear, seldom pays off.
Aftermath
Alphonse’s killing triggered an outburst of violence that now goes by the name of the Melbourne Gangland Wars. Friends became enemies. Scores were levelled, most commonly with gunfire. Jason Moran, the suspected gunman for Gangitano’s death, himself met a similar fate just a couple of years later. Other Carlton Crew members were eliminated one at a time.
The empire that Alphonse contributed to started to weaken. Bizarrely, his death signalled the start of the decline.
Final Thoughts
Alphonse Gangitano’s tale is a crazy combination of ambition, ego, loyalty, and tragedy. He lived quick, dressed sharp and died brutally. Whether you view him as a villain, an antihero, or perhaps something in between, one thing’s for certain—he left his mark on Melbourne that will not be soon forgotten.
