Netflix presents John Wayne Gacy. John Wayne Gacy was executed on May 10, 1994. The notorious serial killer was found guilty of murdering a minimum of 33 teenage boys and young men in the 1970s. His final words, uttered after spending 14 years on death row, have become infamous. Known as the Killer Clown, John Wayne Gacy passed away 31 years ago today.
On May 10, 1994, the convicted serial killer, responsible for the deaths of at least 33 young individuals throughout the 1970s, died while in a correctional facility in Illinois. Despite his heinous crimes, Gacy maintained a disturbing double life, being viewed as both a respected member of the community and a sexual predator. He was often seen as a friendly figure who entertained children at hospitals and parties, a persona that earned him the moniker of the “Killer Clown.”
In 1980, Gacy was sentenced to death. In a recording featured in Netflix’s Conversations with a Killer: The John Wayne Gacy Tapes, when asked about his feelings following the trial’s conclusion, he chillingly stated, “How can you feel relief about something you still don’t understand? Because they say I’m guilty, I’m supposed to feel guilty now? I don’t. I have no remorse.”
John Wayne Gacy met his end in prison 31 years ago. His execution took place on May 10, 1994. Gacy, who painted clowns and other figures that fetched thousands of dollars while on death row, was executed via lethal injection. An error occurred during the process, causing a delay in his death, which took a longer-than-expected 18 minutes.
Gacy died at Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill, Illinois, at the age of 52, on the anniversary of his first arrest at the age of 26 for sodomy, as reported by the New Yorker. His final words before execution were, “Kiss my a–.” Gacy’s last meal consisted of a bucket of KFC chicken, 12 fried prawns, a pound of strawberries, fries, and a Diet Coke.
The public response to John Wayne Gacy’s death was mixed, with some supporting the scheduled execution, as seen through demonstrations in Chicago.
Around 1,000 individuals congregated at the City Hall courtyard in Chicago to mark the forthcoming execution of John Wayne Gacy, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. They released balloons and carried signs poking fun at Gacy’s clown obsession. In the Netflix documentary series, Conversations with a Killer, participants could be heard chanting “Death to Gacy,” with many expressing the belief that the serial killer’s execution should have happened sooner. The series also featured a survivor of Gacy, Steve Nemmers, who stated that he felt no sympathy for him. Jury foreman Ron Beaver expressed a sense of relief, knowing that Gacy would no longer be able to harm children. The media has portrayed John Wayne Gacy’s crimes through various documentaries, such as Peacock’s John Wayne Gacy: Devil in Disguise. Recently, Peacock announced a new limited drama series titled Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy, with Michael Chernus taking on the role of the infamous killer. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to reach a certified crisis counselor.
