History of John Wayne Gacy in Timeline
John Wayne Gacy was an American serial killer, known as the "Killer Clown," who murdered at least 33 young men and boys in the Chicago area. He committed heinous acts of rape and torture before killing his victims, many of whom were buried in the crawl space of his home. Gacy's public persona as a clown contrasted sharply with his horrific crimes, adding to the notoriety of the case. His trial and conviction were highly publicized, making him one of the most infamous serial killers in American history.
March 17, 1942: John Wayne Gacy's birth
On March 17, 1942, John Wayne Gacy was born. He would later become known as an American serial killer and sex offender.
1949: Whipped by Father
In 1949, Gacy's father whipped him after he and another boy were caught sexually fondling a young girl. The same year, a family friend began to occasionally molest Gacy.
1957: Hospitalization for burst appendix
In 1957, Gacy was hospitalized for a burst appendix.
1960: Involvement in politics and receiving a car
In 1960, at age 18, Gacy became involved in politics and his father bought him a car, though he retained the title until Gacy paid for it.
April 1962: Gacy Leaves Home
In April 1962, after his father removed the distributor cap from his car, Gacy left home and drove to Las Vegas.
1963: Graduation from Northwestern Business College
In 1963, Gacy graduated from Northwestern Business College and took a management trainee position with the Nunn-Bush Shoe Company.
1965: Vice-president of the Springfield Jaycees
By 1965, Gacy had risen to the position of vice-president of the Springfield Jaycees and was named the third most outstanding Jaycee in Illinois.
February 1966: Birth of Gacy's son
In February 1966, Gacy's wife gave birth to a son.
July 1966: Visit from Gacy's parents
In July 1966, Gacy's parents visited, and his father apologized for his past abuse.
March 1967: Birth of Gacy's daughter
In March 1967, Gacy's wife gave birth to a daughter.
August 1967: Sexual assault of Donald Voorhees Jr.
In August 1967, Gacy sexually assaulted 15-year-old Donald Voorhees Jr., luring him with the promise of showing him stag films.
1967: Outstanding vice-president
In 1967, Gacy was named "outstanding vice-president" of the Waterloo Jaycees and served on the board of directors.
March 1968: Voorhees informs the police
In March 1968, Donald Voorhees Sr. informed the police that Gacy had sexually assaulted his son. Gacy was then arrested.
May 10, 1968: Indictment on sodomy charge
On May 10, 1968, Gacy was indicted on the sodomy charge.
November 7, 1968: Gacy's guilty plea
On November 7, 1968, Gacy pleaded guilty to one count of sodomy in relation to Voorhees, but not guilty to the charges related to other youths.
1968: Conviction of sodomy
In 1968, Gacy was convicted of sodomy of a teenage boy in Waterloo, Iowa, and was sentenced to ten years' imprisonment.
1968: Doctor Diagnoses Gacy with Antisocial Personality
In 1968, a doctor who examined Gacy concluded he was an antisocial personality. During the 1980 trial, the prosecution argued that if the doctor's recommendations had been heeded, Gacy would not have been freed.
September 18, 1969: Divorce finalized
On September 18, 1969, Gacy's divorce was finalized, and he never saw his first wife or children again.
November 1969: High school diploma
In November 1969, Gacy obtained his high school diploma.
February 1970: Distinguished Service Award
In February 1970, Gacy was presented with a distinguished service award for his efforts within the inmate Jaycee chapter.
May 1970: Scheduled parole hearing
In May 1970, Gacy had a scheduled parole hearing.
June 18, 1970: Gacy Granted Parole
On June 18, 1970, Gacy was granted parole with twelve months' probation after serving eighteen months of his ten-year sentence.
August 1971: Engagement to Carole Hoff
In August 1971, Gacy became engaged to Carole Hoff.
October 18, 1971: Parole ended
On October 18, 1971, Gacy's parole ended, and a month later, the records of his criminal convictions in Iowa were sealed.
1971: Gacy Establishes PDM Contractors
In 1971, John Wayne Gacy established a part-time construction business called PDM Contractors, standing for Painting, Decorating, and Maintenance. With his probation officer's approval, Gacy worked evenings on construction contracts while working as a cook during the day.
January 3, 1972: First Known Murder: Timothy Jack McCoy
On January 3, 1972, Gacy committed his first known murder. He lured 16-year-old Timothy Jack McCoy, known as the "Greyhound Bus Boy", from Chicago's Greyhound Bus Terminal, offering him a sightseeing tour and a place to stay before his bus to Omaha.
July 1, 1972: Marriage to Carole Hoff
On July 1, 1972, Gacy married Carole Hoff, whom he had briefly dated in high school.
1973: Gacy Quits Job as Cook
In mid-1973, Gacy quit his job as a cook to fully commit to his construction business, PDM Contractors.
January 1974: Second Murder: Unidentified Victim
Around January 1974, Gacy committed his second murder. The victim remains unidentified. Gacy strangled him and placed him in his closet before burial. Bodily fluids leaked from the victim's mouth and nose, staining his carpet.
1974: Hosted annual summer parties
From 1974 to 1978, Gacy hosted themed annual summer parties with up to 400 people attending, including politicians and business associates.
May 1975: Gacy Assaults Anthony Antonucci
In May 1975, Gacy hired 15-year-old Anthony Antonucci. Two months later, Gacy went to Antonucci's home, and the two drank wine and watched a stag film before Gacy wrestled Antonucci to the floor and cuffed his hands behind his back. Antonucci freed himself, grappled with Gacy, and cuffed Gacy's hands behind his back. Gacy threatened Antonucci but eventually calmed down and promised to leave if freed, which Antonucci did. Antonucci continued working for PDM for nine months.
July 31, 1975: Disappearance of John Butkovich
On July 31, 1975, John Butkovich, an 18-year-old PDM employee, disappeared. His car was later found abandoned with his jacket and wallet inside and the keys in the ignition.
October 1975: Carole Asks Gacy for a Divorce
In October 1975, after a heated argument, Carole asked Gacy for a divorce, and he agreed. By mutual consent, she continued to live at his house until February 1976.
1975: PDM Expanding Rapidly
By 1975, PDM, Gacy's construction business, was expanding rapidly, and Gacy was working up to sixteen hours per day.
1975: Multiple murders
By the end of 1975, Gacy had murdered at least two more victims.
1975: Increased "Cruising" for Sex with Young Males
In 1975, Gacy freely admitted that he began to increase the frequency of his excursions for sex with young males, often referring to these as "cruising".
1975: Gacy Appointed Director of Chicago's Polish Constitution Day Parade
In 1975, Gacy was appointed director of Chicago's annual Polish Constitution Day Parade. Through this work, he met and was photographed with First Lady Rosalynn Carter.
1975: Gacy Tells Wife He's Bisexual and Begins Secretive Behavior
In 1975, John Wayne Gacy told his wife he was bisexual after they had sex on Mother's Day, stating it would be their "last time". He then began spending evenings away from home, returning in the early morning, claiming to be working late or attending business meetings. Carole, his wife, observed him bringing teenage boys into their garage and found gay pornography, men's wallets, and identification inside the house.
1975: Gacy Joins the "Jolly Joker" Clown Club and Creates "Pogo the Clown" and "Patches the Clown"
In late 1975, Gacy joined the "Jolly Joker" clown club after learning about it through his membership in a local Moose Club. He created his own clown characters named "Pogo the Clown" and "Patches the Clown", designing his own makeup and costumes. He described Pogo as a "happy clown" and Patches as a "more serious" character.
February 1976: Carole Moves Out of Gacy's House
In February 1976, Carole moved out of Gacy's house, following their agreement after she requested a divorce in October 1975.
March 1976: Dental X-ray of Michael Marino
In March 1976, a dental X-ray conducted on Michael Marino revealed one molar had not erupted.
April 6, 1976: Abduction and Murder of Darrell Samson
One month after his divorce was finalized, on April 6, 1976, Gacy abducted and murdered 18-year-old Darrell Samson, who was last seen alive in Chicago. Gacy buried him under the dining room.
May 23, 1976: Michael Rossi Begins Working for PDM
Michael Rossi, who was 18 years old, began working for PDM on May 23, 1976.
July 26, 1976: Gacy Picks Up David Cram and Offers Him a Job
On July 26, 1976, Gacy picked up 18-year-old hitchhiker David Cram and offered him a job with PDM. Cram began working the same evening.
August 6, 1976: Murders Between June 13 and August 6, 1976
William Carroll seems to have been the first of four victims known to have been murdered between June 13 and August 6, 1976. Three were between 16 and 17 years old, and one unidentified victim appears to have been an adult.
October 1976: Gacy Abducts and Kills Kenneth Parker and Michael Marino
In October 1976, Gacy abducted and killed teenage friends Kenneth Parker and Michael Marino. They were last seen on Clark Street in Chicago.
December 1976: Murder of Francis Alexander
Between November and December 1976, Gacy murdered 21-year-old Francis Alexander. Alexander was buried beneath the room Gacy used as his office.
December 1976: Disappearance of Gregory Godzik
In December 1976, 17-year-old Gregory Godzik disappeared. His parents and older sister contacted Gacy about Godzik's disappearance. Gacy claimed that Godzik had expressed a wish to run away from home.
1976: Gacy Living Alone After Divorce
After his divorce, Gacy largely lived alone following his divorce, which was finalized in 1976.
1976: Cram's Testimony of Gacy's Attempted Rape
In 1976, Cram told investigators about Gacy's attempts to rape him. He also mentioned that after the December 13 search, Gacy became pale upon seeing mud on the carpet and checked the crawl space for digging evidence. Cram admitted to spreading lime and digging trenches for drainage pipes, which he described as grave-sized.
1976: Murders after divorce
In 1976, after his divorce from his second wife, Gacy murdered at least thirty more victims.
1976: Neighbors Notice Behavioral Changes
In 1976, after his divorce, several neighbors noticed behavioral changes in Gacy, including seeing him with young males and hearing his car arriving or departing in the early morning. One neighbor recollected hearing muffled screaming, shouting, and crying emanating from his house on West Summerdale Avenue.
January 20, 1977: Murder of John Szyc
On January 20, 1977, Gacy lured 19-year-old John Szyc to his house to buy his Plymouth Satellite. He later confessed to strangling Szyc in his spare bedroom.
March 1977: Gacy Becomes a Supervisor for PE Systems
In March 1977, Gacy became a supervisor for PE Systems, a firm specializing in the remodeling of drugstores.
April 1977: Michael Rossi Moves Out of Gacy's House
In April 1977, Michael Rossi moved out of Gacy's house, where he had been living after working for PDM since May 23, 1976.
June 1977: Illinois Statute on Capital Punishment Comes Into Effect
In June 1977, the Illinois statute on capital punishment came into effect, which would later influence John Wayne Gacy's sentencing.
December 1977: Donald Voorhees Testifies to Assault by Gacy
In December 1977, Donald Voorhees testified about his ordeal and assault at Gacy's hands, becoming visibly distressed while recounting the abuse.
1977: Six More Murders by the End of 1977
By the end of 1977, Gacy had murdered six more young men between the ages of 16 and 21.
1977: Gacy Murders One Additional Unidentified Youth
In the spring or early summer of 1977, Gacy murdered one additional unidentified youth and buried him in the crawl space.
1977: Rossi Spreads Lime in Gacy's Crawl Space
In the summer of 1977, Rossi informed detectives that he had spread ten bags of lime in the crawl space of Gacy's house at Gacy's request.
January 6, 1978: Police Question Gacy About Assault Allegations
On January 6, 1978, police questioned Gacy about an assault reported by Donnelly. Gacy admitted to having a "slave-sex" relationship with Donnelly but insisted it was consensual. Police believed him and filed no charges.
March 1978: Jeffrey Rignall Assaulted and Tortured
In March 1978, Jeffrey Rignall was assaulted and tortured by Gacy.
March 1978: Gacy Assaults and Releases Jeffrey Rignall
In March 1978, after Gacy assaulted and then released Jeffrey Rignall, he began to throw his murder victims into the Des Plaines River.
May 23, 1978: Charles Antonio Hattula found drowned
On May 23, 1978, 25-year-old Charles Antonio Hattula was found drowned in the Pecatonica River near Freeport, Illinois. He had been missing since May 13.
December 11, 1978: Gacy's Remodeling Deal Discussion and Job Offer
On December 11, 1978, John Wayne Gacy visited Nisson Pharmacy to discuss a remodeling deal and mentioned to Robert Piest, a part-time employee, about hiring teenage boys at $5 per hour, nearly double Piest's pharmacy wage.
December 13, 1978: Validity of the First Search Warrant
After his incarceration, John Wayne Gacy challenged the validity of the first search warrant granted to the Des Plaines police on December 13, 1978, as part of his appeals.
December 1978: Arrest
Gacy lived at 8213 West Summerdale Avenue until his arrest in December 1978.
December 21, 1978: Gacy's arrest
On December 21, 1978, the investigation into the disappearance of Des Plaines teenager Robert Piest led to Gacy's arrest.
December 29, 1978: Identification of John Butkovich, John Szyc, and Gregory Godzik
On December 29, 1978, John Butkovich (Body 2) was identified. John Szyc (Body 3) and Gregory Godzik (Body 4) were also identified, having been buried in the same trench as Body 1.
1978: PDM Annual Revenue Exceeds $200,000
By 1978, PDM's annual revenue was over $200,000, indicating the success of Gacy's construction business.
1978: Hosted annual summer parties
From 1974 to 1978, Gacy hosted themed annual summer parties with up to 400 people attending, including politicians and business associates.
1978: Gacy Supervises Polish Constitution Day Parade for the Last Time
In 1978, Gacy supervised Chicago's annual Polish Constitution Day Parade for the last time, having served as its director since 1975. His association with the event and photograph with Rosalynn Carter later caused embarrassment to the United States Secret Service.
1978: Disposal of Bodies in Des Plaines River
In 1978, John Wayne Gacy, finding no more room in his crawl space, confessed to disposing of five bodies off the I-55 bridge into the Des Plaines River, but only four were ever found. He had considered using the attic, but was concerned about "leakage".
1978: Gacy Committing Murders Alone
John Gacy committed most of his murders between 1976 and 1978, as he largely lived alone following his divorce.
January 1, 1979: Rick Johnston Identified
On January 1, 1979, victim 23 was identified as Rick Johnston.
January 6, 1979: Identification of Jon Prestidge (Body 1)
On January 6, 1979, the first body recovered from the crawl space on Gacy's property was identified as Jon Prestidge (Body 1). The cause of death could not be determined.
January 9, 1979: Victim Identified as Timothy O'Rourke
On January 9, 1979, the victim found 6 miles downstream from the I-55 bridge was identified as Timothy O'Rourke, using fingerprint records and a distinctive tattoo. An autopsy was unable to rule out strangulation as the cause of death.
January 1979: Gacy Confesses to Murders and Plans to Conceal Bodies
In January 1979, after police found human remains in his crawl space on December 22 and informed him of murder charges, John Wayne Gacy confessed to murdering approximately thirty young males. He claimed they willingly entered his house, and he mostly buried them in his crawl space. He also admitted to planning to cover the crawl space with concrete to further conceal the bodies.
January 27, 1979: Identification of John Mowery (Body 20)
On January 27, 1979, John Mowery (Body 20) was identified through dental records. He was buried in the northwest corner of the crawl space.
January 29, 1979: Identification of Matthew Bowman (Body 8)
On January 29, 1979, Matthew Bowman (Body 8) was found with the tourniquet used to strangle him around his neck.
March 17, 1979: William Carroll identified as Body 22
On March 17, 1979, William Carroll was identified using dental records as Body 22. He was found beneath Gacy's kitchen with cloth-like material lodged in his throat and two socks recovered from the pelvic region.
April 9, 1979: Robert Piest's Body Identified
On April 9, 1979, the body of Robert Piest was identified via dental records after being discovered along a Grundy County towpath. An autopsy revealed that paper-like material had been shoved down his throat, causing him to suffocate.
April 12, 1979: Identification of Randall Reffett (Body 7)
On April 12, 1979, Randall Reffett (Body 7) was identified through X-rays. He was found in a fetal position with a cloth gag in his mouth, leading investigators to conclude he died of asphyxiation.
April 1979: Gacy's vacant house was demolished
In April 1979, Gacy's vacant house was demolished.
May 16, 1979: William Kindred Identified
On May 16, 1979, William Kindred, the final victim recovered from the crawl space, was identified. He was also found beneath the bathroom, with cloth lodged deep in his throat.
September 11, 1979: Identification of Robert Winch and Tommy Boling
On September 11, 1979, Robert Winch (Body 11) and Tommy Boling (Body 12) were identified. They were found with ligatures around their necks and buried beside each other in the center of the crawl space.
November 14, 1979: Identification of Samuel Stapleton (Body 6)
On November 14, 1979, Samuel Stapleton (Body 6) was identified through dental records. He was buried in the same grave as Randall Reffett.
November 16, 1979: Identification of David Talsma (Victim 17)
On November 16, 1979, David Talsma (Victim 17) was identified using radiology images and found with a ligature around his neck.
November 18, 1979: Darrell Samson Identified
On November 18, 1979, Body 29, identified as Darrell Samson, was found beneath the dining room.
1979: Gacy Initiates Contact with Journalist Russ Ewing
In 1979, John Wayne Gacy began contacting journalist Russ Ewing, granting him numerous interviews between 1979 and 1981. This information would later prove instrumental in identifying his first victim.
1979: Facial reconstructions created
In the fall of 1979, forensic expert Betty Pat Gatliff used the skulls of the remaining unidentified victims to create facial reconstructions.
February 6, 1980: Gacy's Murder Trial Begins
On February 6, 1980, John Wayne Gacy's trial began in Cook County, Illinois, with Judge Louis Garippo presiding. He was charged with 33 murders, and the jury was selected from Rockford due to extensive press coverage in Cook County.
March 13, 1980: Gacy's death sentence
On March 13, 1980, Gacy was sentenced to death for thirty-three murders.
March 29, 1980: Identification of Michael Marino and Kenneth Parker
On March 29, 1980, Michael Marino (Body 14) and Kenneth Parker (Body 15) were identified using dental records and radiology images. They were found with their head and upper torsos inside separate plastic bags.
June 2, 1980: Gacy Sentenced to Death
On June 2, 1980, after deliberating for over two hours, the jury sentenced John Wayne Gacy to death for each murder committed after the Illinois statute on capital punishment came into effect in June 1977. His execution was set for that same day.
1980: Gacy's Trial in Cook County
In 1980, John Wayne Gacy faced trial in Cook County for multiple murders. His then-defense lawyer, Richard Kling, later argued that Gacy had ineffective legal counsel during this trial.
1981: Gacy Gives Interviews to Journalist Russ Ewing
Between 1979 and 1981, John Wayne Gacy gave numerous interviews to journalist Russ Ewing, divulging information that would later help identify his first victim.
February 15, 1983: Gacy Stabbed by Fellow Inmate
On February 15, 1983, Henry Brisbon, a fellow death row inmate known as the I-57 killer, stabbed John Wayne Gacy in the arm with a sharpened wire, resulting in treatment at the prison hospital.
1984: Missing Child Recovery Act of 1984
In 1984, Sam Amirante authored procedures that were incorporated by the Illinois General Assembly into the Missing Child Recovery Act of 1984, which removed the 72-hour waiting period for initiating a search for a missing child in Illinois. This led to a national network that eventually developed into the Amber Alert system.
1984: Illinois Supreme Court Upholds Gacy's Conviction
In mid-1984, the Supreme Court of Illinois upheld John Wayne Gacy's conviction and ordered his execution by lethal injection, initially set for November 14.
March 4, 1985: U.S. Supreme Court Denies Gacy's Appeal
On March 4, 1985, the Supreme Court of the United States denied John Wayne Gacy's appeal against the Illinois Supreme Court's decision.
1985: Gacy Appeals Execution Decision
In 1985, John Wayne Gacy appealed the decision that he be executed, leading to further legal proceedings.
May 1986: Identification of Timothy McCoy (Body 9)
In May 1986, Timothy McCoy (Body 9) was identified via dental records and a distinctive belt buckle. He was found beneath a layer of concrete and had several stab wounds, suggesting he was Gacy's first victim.
September 11, 1986: Gacy's Post-Conviction Petition Dismissed
On September 11, 1986, John Wayne Gacy's post-conviction petition, seeking a new trial, was dismissed after his lawyer argued he had ineffective legal counsel at his 1980 trial.
September 29, 1988: Illinois Supreme Court Upholds Gacy's Conviction Again
On September 29, 1988, the Illinois Supreme Court upheld John Wayne Gacy's conviction, setting a new execution date of January 11, 1989.
January 11, 1989: New Execution Date Set for Gacy
On January 11, 1989, a new execution date was set for John Wayne Gacy after the Illinois Supreme Court upheld his conviction on September 29, 1988.
October 1993: U.S. Supreme Court Denies Gacy's Final Appeal
In October 1993, the U.S. Supreme Court denied John Wayne Gacy's final appeal, which led to the Illinois Supreme Court formally setting an execution date for May 10, 1994.
May 9, 1994: Gacy's Last Day Before Execution
On May 9, 1994, John Wayne Gacy was transferred to Stateville Correctional Center to be executed. He had a private picnic with his family on the prison grounds. For his last meal, he ordered a bucket of KFC, french fries, a dozen fried shrimp, fresh strawberries, and a Diet Coke. He received last rites from a Catholic priest before being escorted to the execution chamber. A crowd gathered outside, mostly in favor of the execution.
May 10, 1994: John Wayne Gacy's death
On May 10, 1994, John Wayne Gacy, an American serial killer, died. He was executed.
1998: Radar Survey and Excavation
In 1998, a radar survey suggested fourteen areas of interest within the grounds of the West Miami Avenue property, yet only two of these had been excavated.
October 2011: Renewal of efforts to identify victims
In October 2011, Cook County sheriff Thomas Dart announced that investigators, having obtained DNA profiles from the unidentified victims, were to renew their efforts to identify them. Investigators were seeking DNA samples from across the United States related to any male missing between 1970 and 1979.
November 2011: William Bundy identified through DNA testing
In November 2011, William Bundy was identified through DNA testing.
2012: Lawyers claim Gacy was out of state during murders
In 2012, two Chicago lawyers said travel records show that Gacy had been in another state at the time of three of the murders, implying he had one or more accomplices.
January 2013: Search of West Miami Avenue property
In January 2013, a second request to excavate the grounds of the West Miami Avenue property was granted, and a search was conducted in the spring, but no human remains were found.
July 2017: James Haakenson Identified
In July 2017, 16-year-old James Haakenson was identified using DNA testing.
2018: Updated facial reconstructions released
In 2018, updated facial reconstructions of Bodies 10 and 13 were released.
2020: Prosecutor Kunkle Clarifies Gacy's Final Words
In 2020, prosecutor William Kunkle clarified that John Wayne Gacy's final words, reportedly "Kiss my ass", were spoken to a prison official and were not part of any official statement prior to his execution.
October 2021: Francis Wayne Alexander Identified
In October 2021, Francis Wayne Alexander was identified via forensic genealogy.
2025: Equivalent value of Gacy's salary in 1964
In September 1964, Gacy would receive $15,000 per year (the equivalent of about $152,600 as of 2025), plus a share of the restaurant's profits.
Mentioned in this timeline
The United States of America is a federal republic of...
Radar is a radiodetermination system employing radio waves to detect...
An Amber Alert or Child Abduction Emergency alert is a...
John Wayne born Marion Robert Morrison and nicknamed the Duke...
A shoe is a protective and comfort-providing item of footwear...
Las Vegas is the most populous city in Nevada and...
Trending
8 minutes ago Baloch Rebels Claim Attacks: BLA Message to India After Strikes in Pakistan
8 minutes ago Jimmy Kimmel supports 60 Minutes, roasts Bob Iger, Netflix, and Gen Z at Upfronts.
9 minutes ago John Krasinski and Eiza González's Fountain of Youth: A 'Sexy and Fun' Face-Off
1 hour ago Rowdy Tellez homers against Blue Jays, continuing to shine after Elk Grove homecoming.
1 hour ago Jung-hoo Lee Hits Fifth Home Run, Snaps Hitless Streak with Giants
1 hour ago Fernando Tatis Jr. hits first walk-off homer, admits fatigue after hot start.
Popular
Pope Francis is the current head of the Catholic Church...
Michael Jordan also known as MJ is an American businessman...
Cristiano Ronaldo often nicknamed CR is a highly decorated Portuguese...
LeBron James nicknamed King James is a professional basketball player...
Jupiter the fifth planet from the Sun is the Solar...
Ronald Reagan the th U S President - was a...