John Wayne Gacy
The Killer Clown

Gacy was born in Chicago on March 17, 1942. Having a protective mother and a harsh father who would often come home, go down to the basement, sit in a stuffed chair, and get drunk; later, drunk, he'd come up for dinner and start beating his wife and children. As a child, John had been struck on the head by a swing, causing a blood clot on the brain, which was undetected for several years. Apart from being a petty thief, he had an uneventful childhood.

He later attended business school, got married, and lived for a time in Iowa. Gacy managed a fried chicken business in Waterloo, where he became a respected community member. Nothing about him seemed abnormal, although he boasting a lot, he seemed a kind and generous man.

Then at aged 26, Gacy was arrested for sexually assaulting a young boy. The trial disclosed that he had forced the handcuffed boy to have sex with him. He then paid his victim to keep quiet about the incident. But the youth testified against him anyway. In response, Gacy hired another young man to beat up the boy. Once found guilty and sentenced to ten years in prison, his wife divorced him. His good behavior won him an early parole in 1971, and he was placed on probation. After his release, he moved to Harwood Heights to begin a new life. He remarried and started a construction business, which he ran from his house. He was out of prison for less than a year when he was arrested for soliciting a juvenile male for sex. But the charges were dropped when his victim failed to appear in court.

Again seeking recognition and status, Gacy involved himself in local politics and other community activities. Gacy often donated time and money to help people in need. He even dressed up as a clown to entertain children at different social events.