John Wayne Gacy "Killer Clown"
Biography of his life
Born on March 17, 1942 in Chicago Illinois, John Wayne Gacy was born by Danish and Polish parents. During Gacy's abusive childhood he faced a drunken father, John Stanley Gacy, who would beat his children with a razor strap if they possibly misbehaved. Gacy and his siblings were never allowed to cry during the beatings from their father. In addition, his father physically assaulted Gacy's mother, Marion Elaine Robinson. At school Gacy's faced bullying by classmates because of a heart condition that he had. His father accused him of faking his heart pains to gain sympathy from him. When Gacy was nine years old he was molested by a family friend, who would drive him around in his truck and then caress him.
When he turned 18 he started to work in politics possibly to gain appreciation from people that he never received from his father. After many attempts from Gacy's father to control him, Gacy moved to Las Vegas, Nevada and worked for an ambulance service and then became a mortuary assistant. When he worked as a mortuary assistant, he would sleep behind the embalming room. He often watched as they conducted the embalming and was fascinated. He confessed that he climbed into a the coffin of a deceased teen male and caressed him, similarly to the way his molester did. He then felt a large sense of shock and ask his mother, who acted as a "middle-man" for Gacy and his father, if he was allowed to come back; his father agreed and Gacy then moved back to Chicago.
When Gacy returned home he enrolled in Northwestern Business College. He got his first business job with Nunn-Bush Shoe Company. He was transferred down to Springfield Illinois where he became engaged to Marylnn Myers. They married in September of 1964, and they both moved to Waterloo Iowa where Marylnn's father owned multiple KFC restaurants for Gacy to manage. Once in Iowa, Gacy joined the Jaycees and one of his colleges and him got drunk and performed oral sex on him. This was the second time that he had homosexual encounters. He was later appointed vice-president of the Jaycees and "named third most outstanding Jaycee in the State of Illinois."
While in Anamosa State Penitentiary, on Christmas day, Gacy's father died of cirrhosis of the liver. Two days later when Gacy found out, he wept and hat to be "supported by prison staff." Gacy asked to go to his father's funeral but the request was turned down. In 1975, Gacy told his second wife that he was bisexual and would never have sex with her again and they later divorced the following year.
Gacy later joined a Moose club where members all wore clown costumes and performed at events for children. Gacy enjoyed this so much that he created his own clown character which he called Pogo the clown. Gacy performed multiple times a childrens parties, events, and parades as Pogo.
While in Anamosa State Penitentiary, on Christmas day, Gacy's father died of cirrhosis of the liver. Two days later when Gacy found out, he wept and hat to be "supported by prison staff." Gacy asked to go to his father's funeral but the request was turned down. In 1975, Gacy told his second wife that he was bisexual and would never have sex with her again and they later divorced the following year.
Gacy later joined a Moose club where members all wore clown costumes and performed at events for children. Gacy enjoyed this so much that he created his own clown character which he called Pogo the clown. Gacy performed multiple times a childrens parties, events, and parades as Pogo.
Early crimes
In August 1967, Gacy sexually assaulted a teenage boy, 15 year old Donal Voorhees, by luring Voorhees into Gacy's home and convinced Voorhees to give him oral sex. Gacy sexually abused many other young boys, one of which he "encouraged" to sleep with his wife. Gacy told many of the boys that he was doing homosexual experiments for "scientific research." When Voorhees told his father, he called the police and they arrested Gacy for oral sodomy and attempted assault of Edward Lynch, another young boy. Gacy convinced one of his 18 year old employees to follow Voorhees and beat him up, which the employee did. The employee was caught by police and immediately told police Gacy persuaded him to do it. Gacy was arrested and ordered to take a psychiatric evaluation. The doctors that examined him declared he had antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). Gacy pled guilty and sentenced to 10 years at Anamosa State Penitentiary. In the same day, his wife filed for divorce and never saw his wife or children again. Gacy was later granted 12 months probation after serving only 18 months of his 10 year sentence.
8 months after he was released on parole he was charged with sexually assaulting another minor, but the charges were dropped when the did not appear in court. When his parole ended, his criminal history was sealed. Gacy, with help from his mother, purchased a property - 8213 West Summerdale Ave. This is where Gacy's known murder were committed. In 1972, Gacy was charge with sexual battery of a young boy where he wore a Sherriff's uniform and lured the boy into his car to perform oral sex. These charges were dropped.
8 months after he was released on parole he was charged with sexually assaulting another minor, but the charges were dropped when the did not appear in court. When his parole ended, his criminal history was sealed. Gacy, with help from his mother, purchased a property - 8213 West Summerdale Ave. This is where Gacy's known murder were committed. In 1972, Gacy was charge with sexual battery of a young boy where he wore a Sherriff's uniform and lured the boy into his car to perform oral sex. These charges were dropped.
Murders
In 1972, Gacy picked up Timothy McCoy, a 15 year old boy, at the local bus depot and took him on a tour of Chicago. He promised to take him to his home and be back to the bus stop before his next bus left since he was heading to Omaha the next morning. Gacy woke up the next morning to find McCoy standing in the door way with a knife supposedly to wake him up after preparing breakfast for him and Gacy. Gacy though that McCoy was trying to kill him, so Gacy jumped out of bed and was accidentally cut by McCoy. Gacy wrestled with McCoy and stabbed him multiple times in the chest. Gacy then buried him in a crawl space and covered the grave with concrete.
In January 1974, Gacy strangled an unidentified boy around 16 years old. Gacy stored the body in his closet but had to relocate him when he found the boy to be leaking blood from his nose and mouth, which cause a stain in Gacy's carpet. This unidentified boy was then buried in Gacy's backyard.
In July 1975, John Butkovitch, a 17 year old employee of Gacy disappeared. Gacy lured Burkovitch to his home to settle a payment discrepancy. Gacy convinced the boy to handcuff himself and then Gacy strangled him. Gacy buried him under his garage.
In April 1976, Gacy kidnapped his third victim, 18 year old Darrell Sampson.
In May 1976, Randall Reffet was abducted by Gacy as the boy was walking home from school. Gacy shoved cloth into the boy's mouth causing him to asphyxiate. Gacy buried him in Gacy's crawl space.
In January 1974, Gacy strangled an unidentified boy around 16 years old. Gacy stored the body in his closet but had to relocate him when he found the boy to be leaking blood from his nose and mouth, which cause a stain in Gacy's carpet. This unidentified boy was then buried in Gacy's backyard.
In July 1975, John Butkovitch, a 17 year old employee of Gacy disappeared. Gacy lured Burkovitch to his home to settle a payment discrepancy. Gacy convinced the boy to handcuff himself and then Gacy strangled him. Gacy buried him under his garage.
In April 1976, Gacy kidnapped his third victim, 18 year old Darrell Sampson.
In May 1976, Randall Reffet was abducted by Gacy as the boy was walking home from school. Gacy shoved cloth into the boy's mouth causing him to asphyxiate. Gacy buried him in Gacy's crawl space.
In May 1976, just hours after Reffet was dead, 14 year old Samuel Stapleton was abducted by Gacy as the boy was coming home from his sisters apartment. Just like Reffet, Gacy buried Stapleton in his crawl space.
In June 1976, Gacy murdered Michael Bonnin. Gacy strangled this 17 year old to his death and then buried him in the crawl space.
In June 1976, Gacy murdered 16 year old William Carroll. Carroll was buried under Gacy's kitchen.
In 1976, Gacy killed two other boys who were also buried under his kitchen. These two boys were 16 and 17 years old but remain unidentified.
In 1976, Gacy murdered another two unidentified boys believed to be around 17 and the other around 26 years old. Bother were strangled to death.
In August 1976, Rick Johnston a 17 year old boy, was abducted and murdered by Gacy. At the same time he killed another unidentified male around 24 years old. In addition, he killed another boy around 19 years old.
In October 1976, Gacy kidnapped two teens, Kenneth Parker and Michael Marino. Parker and Marino were both strangled and killed then placed in the crawl space, specifically under Gacy's bedroom.
In June 1976, Gacy murdered Michael Bonnin. Gacy strangled this 17 year old to his death and then buried him in the crawl space.
In June 1976, Gacy murdered 16 year old William Carroll. Carroll was buried under Gacy's kitchen.
In 1976, Gacy killed two other boys who were also buried under his kitchen. These two boys were 16 and 17 years old but remain unidentified.
In 1976, Gacy murdered another two unidentified boys believed to be around 17 and the other around 26 years old. Bother were strangled to death.
In August 1976, Rick Johnston a 17 year old boy, was abducted and murdered by Gacy. At the same time he killed another unidentified male around 24 years old. In addition, he killed another boy around 19 years old.
In October 1976, Gacy kidnapped two teens, Kenneth Parker and Michael Marino. Parker and Marino were both strangled and killed then placed in the crawl space, specifically under Gacy's bedroom.
In December 1976, 17 year old Gregory Godzik was abducted by Gacy following Godzik's date with his girlfriend. Gacy hired Godzik and once ordered him to '"dig trenches for some kind of (drain) tiles" in his crawl space." Gacy told police that GOdzik ran away from his house.
In January 1977, Gacy lured 19 year old John Szyc to his house. Gacy murdered Szyc and then buried him in the crawl space next to Godzik who were friends.
In January or February 1977, Gacy killed an unidentified male possibly with the first name Gregory.
In March 1977, Gacy murdered Jon Prestidge, a 20 year old male, who was in Chicago visiting friends. Around the same time Gacy murdered one other male, possibly between the ages of 17 and 21. Both were buried next to the entrance of his home.
In July 1977, Gacy murdered 19 year old Matthew Bowmen. He was buried in the crawl space still wearing the tornicate that was used to kill him by Gacy.
In September 1977, Gacy abducted and murdered Robert Gilroy. Gilroy was a police sergeant's 18 year son. He was suffocated and buried in the crawl space.
In January 1977, Gacy lured 19 year old John Szyc to his house. Gacy murdered Szyc and then buried him in the crawl space next to Godzik who were friends.
In January or February 1977, Gacy killed an unidentified male possibly with the first name Gregory.
In March 1977, Gacy murdered Jon Prestidge, a 20 year old male, who was in Chicago visiting friends. Around the same time Gacy murdered one other male, possibly between the ages of 17 and 21. Both were buried next to the entrance of his home.
In July 1977, Gacy murdered 19 year old Matthew Bowmen. He was buried in the crawl space still wearing the tornicate that was used to kill him by Gacy.
In September 1977, Gacy abducted and murdered Robert Gilroy. Gilroy was a police sergeant's 18 year son. He was suffocated and buried in the crawl space.
Also in September 1977, John Mowery, a 19 year old Marine, was abducted while walking home. He was strangled to death by Gacy and then buried him in the crawl space.
In October 1977, Russell Nelson, a 21 year old male from Minnesota, was abducted by Gacy as well as Robert Winch and 20 year old Tommy Boling. All were strangled to death and then buried in the crawl space under the hallway of his home.
In December 1977, another Marine, 19 year old David Talsma, vanished after going to a rock concert. Talsma was strangled by Gacy and buried in the crawl space.
In October 1977, Russell Nelson, a 21 year old male from Minnesota, was abducted by Gacy as well as Robert Winch and 20 year old Tommy Boling. All were strangled to death and then buried in the crawl space under the hallway of his home.
In December 1977, another Marine, 19 year old David Talsma, vanished after going to a rock concert. Talsma was strangled by Gacy and buried in the crawl space.
In December 1977, Gacy kidnapped Robert Donnelly at gunpoint from a Chicago bus station. Gacy rapped and tortured him until he passed out. He was quickly revived by Gacy who continued to torture him. Donnelly begged for Gacy to kill him but Gacy never did. He released Donnelly who told the police. When Gacy was questioned, he stated that they were having rough "slave sex". No charges were filed.
In February 1978, Gacy abducted 19 year old William Kindred. Kindred was the last victim to be buried in the crawl space.
In March 1978, Gacy abducted Jeffrey Rignall. This 26 year old male as subdued by Gacy by using chloroform. Gacy raped and tortured him with many different items "including lit candles" until he was unconscious. Gacy dumped the body, that was supposed to be dead, in Lincoln Park. Rignall awoke and the police were notified. The police questioned Rignall who told police about Gacy. Police arrested Gacy on July 15th and then later in December he was arrested to for the murders.
In February 1978, Gacy abducted 19 year old William Kindred. Kindred was the last victim to be buried in the crawl space.
In March 1978, Gacy abducted Jeffrey Rignall. This 26 year old male as subdued by Gacy by using chloroform. Gacy raped and tortured him with many different items "including lit candles" until he was unconscious. Gacy dumped the body, that was supposed to be dead, in Lincoln Park. Rignall awoke and the police were notified. The police questioned Rignall who told police about Gacy. Police arrested Gacy on July 15th and then later in December he was arrested to for the murders.
Gacy confessed to killing and dumping the bodies of Timothy O'Rourke (20), Frank Landingin (19) from suffocation from the underwear that was stuffed in his throat, and James Mazzana (20) who was strangled. All of these bodies were thrown into the local river.
In December 1978, Gacy's final kill, 15 year old Robert Piest was going to meet with Gacy for a possible job but never returned. Gacy denied all involvement including even offering him a job. Police began to investigate Gacy for the disappearance of Piest. Gacy drowned the boy in the local river. The police drafted many search warrants and finally with their second search warrant they search for the bodies specifically in the crawl space. Gacy tried to get rid of the evidence by flooding the crawl space, but it did not work and police found all of the bodies that were buried at his home including the ones not in the crawl space.
On May 9th, 1994 Gacy had a nice picnic with his family at the Mernard Correctional Facility in Crest Hill and then had a private meeting with a catholic priest. Following this he was escorted to the execution chamber where he was executed by lethal injection. He died 18 minutes after the injection was given.
In December 1978, Gacy's final kill, 15 year old Robert Piest was going to meet with Gacy for a possible job but never returned. Gacy denied all involvement including even offering him a job. Police began to investigate Gacy for the disappearance of Piest. Gacy drowned the boy in the local river. The police drafted many search warrants and finally with their second search warrant they search for the bodies specifically in the crawl space. Gacy tried to get rid of the evidence by flooding the crawl space, but it did not work and police found all of the bodies that were buried at his home including the ones not in the crawl space.
On May 9th, 1994 Gacy had a nice picnic with his family at the Mernard Correctional Facility in Crest Hill and then had a private meeting with a catholic priest. Following this he was escorted to the execution chamber where he was executed by lethal injection. He died 18 minutes after the injection was given.
Psychopathy
In an interview after his arrest, Gacy stated that immediately after killing McCoy, he felt "totally drained", yet noted that he had experienced orgasm as he killed the youth. In this 1980s interview, he added: "That's when I realized that death was the ultimate thrill."[84]