In December 1978, Chicago police began uncovering what would become one of the most horrifying crime stories in the city’s history. As body after body was unearthed from beneath the floorboards of a seemingly ordinary suburban house, it became clear they were dealing with one of the most sadistic serial killers the U.S. had ever known. John Wayne Gacy, later dubbed “The Killer Clown,” had committed more murders than anyone in American history at the time. Gacy, a familiar and well-liked figure in his suburban neighborhood just outside Chicago, shocked the nation.
The Charming Facade
Gacy appeared to be the model citizen: a successful construction business owner, a faithful churchgoer, active in the local Polish community, and a dedicated stepfather. He was also involved in politics as a Democratic Party precinct captain, even meeting First Lady Rosalynn Carter in 1978—the same year his monstrous crimes would come to light. Neighbors remembered him as a generous host, known for throwing elaborate parties where he often performed as his alter ego, Pogo the Clown, delighting children with jokes and balloon animals.
A Disturbing Past
Behind this cheerful facade, Gacy concealed a dark and disturbing past. Before relocating to Chicago, he had been living in Iowa, where he was arrested for sexually assaulting two teenage boys while his first wife was in the hospital giving birth. He was sentenced to ten years but served only eighteen months. Following his release, now divorced, he was granted permission to start over in Chicago.
Gacy’s second marriage also ended in divorce in 1976, shortly after he admitted to his wife that he was bisexual. This marked the beginning of his descent into a horrifying double life. With no one to hold him accountable, Gacy began to indulge in sadistic fantasies, discovering that murder gave him a sense of gratification unlike anything else.
The Disappearance That Changed Everything
His downfall began with the disappearance of 15-year-old Robert Piest on December 11, 1978. After his shift at a local pharmacy, Robert told his mother he was meeting a man about a high-paying construction job. He never returned. Alarmed, his family immediately contacted the police. The case was taken up by Lieutenant Joseph Kozenczak, whose own son attended the same school as Robert. One of his first inquiries was directed toward John Wayne Gacy, who had recently completed a remodeling job at the very pharmacy where Robert worked.
The Mounting Evidence
While Gacy’s neighbors were unaware of his criminal history, police were not. Over the years, multiple complaints had been filed against him—ranging from the disappearance of employees to allegations of assault. Despite several missed opportunities to apprehend him, law enforcement had never been able to build a solid case—until now.
When Gacy was contacted for questioning, he agreed to come to the station but didn’t show up for hours. When he eventually arrived, he was covered in mud, claiming his car had been stuck near the Des Plaines River. This prompted suspicion. The next day, armed with a search warrant, officers searched Gacy’s home and found a receipt linked to Robert Piest. While there was still no conclusive evidence of a crime, Gacy was placed under surveillance.
A Shocking Confession
Soon, more evidence began surfacing. Police discovered a ring connected to another missing boy, and employees reported other workers who had vanished without a trace. Gacy, seemingly unfazed, even invited the surveillance officers inside for coffee. Once inside, they were struck by the unmistakable stench of death.
Gacy’s confidence faltered when police arrested him for selling marijuana. While in custody, officers told him they planned to tear up his floorboards. That was when Gacy confessed to killing a man in his home, claiming it was self-defense. He showed police where he buried the body—under his garage. But during the search, officers discovered a trapdoor leading to a crawl space. Beneath it lay the remains of several other victims.
The Horrific Truth
Faced with undeniable evidence, Gacy cracked. In a long, disjointed confession, often speaking about himself in the third person, he admitted to killing 32 young men, burying 27 in his crawl space and dumping others, including Robert Piest, into the Des Plaines River. On the night he had shown up at the police station muddy and disheveled, he had just disposed of Robert’s body.
By early January 1979, authorities had found 29 bodies, with only a few identified. Gacy was charged with the murders of seven victims while the search continued. Families across the country reached out, hoping for answers about missing loved ones.
The Legal Battle
Gacy’s trial began on February 6, 1980. Due to the disturbing nature of the case, minors were banned from the courtroom. Pleading not guilty, Gacy’s legal team attempted an insanity defense, but the jury wasn’t swayed. After five weeks of testimony, they deliberated for just two hours before finding him guilty of all 33 murders. He was sentenced to death by lethal injection and sent to Menard Correctional Center.
Aftermath and Legacy
While awaiting execution, Gacy took up painting, focusing—disturbingly—on clown portraits. Some of his works were later destroyed by victims’ families in a public bonfire. After exhausting all appeals, Gacy’s execution date was set for May 10, 1994. His final meal included fried shrimp, strawberries, and KFC—he had once managed several KFC restaurants. His final words, before being executed at 12:58 a.m., were, “Kiss my ass.”
At the time of his execution, only 26 of his 33 victims had been identified. Thanks to advances in DNA testing, more victims have since been named, including William George Bundy in 2011. Still, six victims remain unidentified.
A Haunting Legacy
Gacy’s crimes sparked major changes in how missing persons cases were handled. Chicago police led efforts to establish a centralized, computerized database for missing and murdered youths, improving interdepartmental communication nationwide.
