Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
John Wayne Gacy is arrested on Dec. 21, 1978, at the Des Plaines Police Department.
John Wayne Gacy is arrested on Dec. 21, 1978, at the Des Plaines Police Department.
A body is recovered from John Wayne Gacy's house in 1979 and transferred to a sheriff's van.
A body is recovered from John Wayne Gacy’s house in 1979 and transferred to a sheriff’s van.
The backyard structures have been completely demolished and the yard dug up at the home where John Wayne Gacy lived and killed 33 people in Norwood Park Township. This view, taken on March 19, 1979, shows the back of the house. (Walter Kale/baiduhai) scanned from print. published on March 20, 1979.
The backyard structures have been completely demolished and the yard dug up at the home where John Wayne Gacy lived and killed 33 people in Norwood Park Township. This view, taken on March 19, 1979, shows the back of the house. (Walter Kale/baiduhai) scanned from print. published on March 20, 1979.
At the Des Plaines police station, John Wayne Gacy covers his face with his manacled hands as he emerged after an all-night questioning session on Dec. 22, 1978.
At the Des Plaines police station, John Wayne Gacy covers his face with his manacled hands as he emerged after an all-night questioning session on Dec. 22, 1978.
The medical examiner's truck is backed up to to John Wayne Gacy's house in Norwood Park Township and bags of remains are loaded for transport to the Cook County morgue on Dec. 22, 1978.
The medical examiner’s truck is backed up to to John Wayne Gacy’s house in Norwood Park Township and bags of remains are loaded for transport to the Cook County morgue on Dec. 22, 1978.
John Wayne Gacy 36, is removed from the Des Plaines Police Station enroute to a hospital on Dec. 23, 1978.
John Wayne Gacy 36, is removed from the Des Plaines Police Station enroute to a hospital on Dec. 23, 1978.
John Wayne Gacy, 36, is removed from the Des Plaines Police Station enroute to a hospital on Dec. 23, 1978.
John Wayne Gacy, 36, is removed from the Des Plaines Police Station enroute to a hospital on Dec. 23, 1978.
John Wayne Gacy's house at 8213 W. Summerdale Avenue in Norwood Park at the time of his arrest on Dec. 22, 1978.
John Wayne Gacy’s house at 8213 W. Summerdale Avenue in Norwood Park at the time of his arrest on Dec. 22, 1978.
Sheriff's police remove another body Saturday from the home of John Wayne Gacy, 36, on Dec. 23, 1978, in Norwood Park Township. (Karen Engstrom/baiduhai) scanned from negative.
Sheriff’s police remove another body Saturday from the home of John Wayne Gacy, 36, on Dec. 23, 1978, in Norwood Park Township. (Karen Engstrom/baiduhai) scanned from negative.
A police photo shows a part of the crawl space in the Norwood Park Township home of John Wayne Gacy after bodies had been unearthed by investigators. Twenty-six bodies were found in the crawl space of the home.
A police photo shows a part of the crawl space in the Norwood Park Township home of John Wayne Gacy after bodies had been unearthed by investigators. Twenty-six bodies were found in the crawl space of the home.
A police photo shows a part of the crawl space in the Norwood Park Township home of John Wayne Gacy after bodies had been unearthed by investigators. Twenty-six bodies were found in the crawl space of the home.
A police photo shows a part of the crawl space in the Norwood Park Township home of John Wayne Gacy after bodies had been unearthed by investigators. Twenty-six bodies were found in the crawl space of the home.
Workmen who extricated more bodies from the crawl space beneath the home of John Wayne Gacy emerge on Dec. 27, 1978, in their mudcaked high boots.
Workmen who extricated more bodies from the crawl space beneath the home of John Wayne Gacy emerge on Dec. 27, 1978, in their mudcaked high boots.
A large crowd of curiosity seekers gathers outside the John Wayne Gacy home, where more bodies were found on Dec. 28, 1978.
A large crowd of curiosity seekers gathers outside the John Wayne Gacy home, where more bodies were found on Dec. 28, 1978.
John Wayne Gacy, dressed as a clown in front of his Norwood Park Township house, in 1976. Gacy, a former building contractor who worked as a clown at children's parties, was convicted in 1980 for murdering 33 young men and boys.
John Wayne Gacy, dressed as a clown in front of his Norwood Park Township house, in 1976. Gacy, a former building contractor who worked as a clown at children’s parties, was convicted in 1980 for murdering 33 young men and boys.
John Wayne Gacy, center, with his second wife, left, and his mother.
John Wayne Gacy, center, with his second wife, left, and his mother.
John Wayne Gacy with his second wife in an undated photo. (baiduhai archive photo) scanned from print. Published on Dec. 21, 1982. Carole Hoff
John Wayne Gacy with his second wife in an undated photo. (baiduhai archive photo) scanned from print. Published on Dec. 21, 1982.
Carole Hoff
John Wayne Gacy, 36, is removed from the Des Plaines Police Station enroute to a hospital on Dec. 23, 1978.
John Wayne Gacy, 36, is removed from the Des Plaines Police Station enroute to a hospital on Dec. 23, 1978.
Sheriff's police remove another body from the home of John Wayne Gacy, 36, on Dec. 23, 1978, in Norwood Park Township.
Sheriff’s police remove another body from the home of John Wayne Gacy, 36, on Dec. 23, 1978, in Norwood Park Township.
The grieving Butkoviches, Marko and Terezia, talk with reporters in their Lombard home after learning that their worst fear has been confirmed. The remains of their son, John, have been found beneath the home of John Wayne Gacy. Photo taken on Dec. 30, 1978. Terezia is holding a photo of John.
The grieving Butkoviches, Marko and Terezia, talk with reporters in their Lombard home after learning that their worst fear has been confirmed. The remains of their son, John, have been found beneath the home of John Wayne Gacy. Photo taken on Dec. 30, 1978. Terezia is holding a photo of John.
The parents of Robert Piest, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Piest, leave the Des Plaines Circuit Court on Dec. 29, 1978. John Wayne Gacy is charged with the murder of their son, whose body has not yet been found.
The parents of Robert Piest, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Piest, leave the Des Plaines Circuit Court on Dec. 29, 1978. John Wayne Gacy is charged with the murder of their son, whose body has not yet been found.
More bodies are removed from the home of John Wayne Gacy on Dec. 28, 1978. Today's count was either five or six. (Karen Engstrom/baiduhai) scanned from print. published on Feb. 7, 1979.
More bodies are removed from the home of John Wayne Gacy on Dec. 28, 1978. Today’s count was either five or six. (Karen Engstrom/baiduhai) scanned from print. published on Feb. 7, 1979.
Dr. Robert Stein examines a case tag in the John Wayne Gacy slayings in Crypt No. 1, which was set aside for the victims in 1978.
Dr. Robert Stein examines a case tag in the John Wayne Gacy slayings in Crypt No. 1, which was set aside for the victims in 1978.
A photo of John Wayne Gacy taken at the Cook County Jail by an employee at the jail in December 1978.
A photo of John Wayne Gacy taken at the Cook County Jail by an employee at the jail in December 1978.
A photograph of John Wayne Gacy's bedroom was used in the trial that convicted him in 1980.
A photograph of John Wayne Gacy’s bedroom was used in the trial that convicted him in 1980.
A photograph of John Wayne Gacy's tiki-bar in his recreation room was used in his 1980 trial.
A photograph of John Wayne Gacy’s tiki-bar in his recreation room was used in his 1980 trial.
John Wayne Gacy in a Des Plaines Police Department arrest photo from Dec. 22, 1978.
John Wayne Gacy in a Des Plaines Police Department arrest photo from Dec. 22, 1978.
Workesr remove floorboards in the home of John Wayne Gacy after his arrest in 1978.
Workesr remove floorboards in the home of John Wayne Gacy after his arrest in 1978.
Medical Examiner Dr. Stein, left, looks over possible remains found in the crawlspace at the home of John Wayne Gacy after his arrest.
Medical Examiner Dr. Stein, left, looks over possible remains found in the crawlspace at the home of John Wayne Gacy after his arrest.
A technician cuts the carpet in John Wayne Gacy's home after his arrest in 1978.
A technician cuts the carpet in John Wayne Gacy’s home after his arrest in 1978.
On the Des Plaines River near Morris, Ill., firemen from the Channahon Fire Department search for bodies in the John Wayne Gacy case on Dec. 23, 1978. A helicopter assisted in the search.
On the Des Plaines River near Morris, Ill., firemen from the Channahon Fire Department search for bodies in the John Wayne Gacy case on Dec. 23, 1978. A helicopter assisted in the search.
Investigators carry the remains of a body found beneath the garage floor of the home of John Wayne Gacy in the Norwood Park neighborhood of Chicago in 1978.
Investigators carry the remains of a body found beneath the garage floor of the home of John Wayne Gacy in the Norwood Park neighborhood of Chicago in 1978.
John Wayne Gacy, dressed as a clown in front of his Norwood Park Township house, in 1976.
John Wayne Gacy, dressed as a clown in front of his Norwood Park Township house, in 1976.
John Wayne Gacy, center, and former business associate Jim Van Vorous were hosts at a bicentennial party July 4, 1976, at Gacy's home in unincorporated Norwood Park Township.
John Wayne Gacy, center, and former business associate Jim Van Vorous were hosts at a bicentennial party July 4, 1976, at Gacy’s home in unincorporated Norwood Park Township.
Sheriff's officers use air hammers in 1979 to break up the remaining concrete floor of John Wayne Gacy's work shed, which was attached to the garage.
Sheriff’s officers use air hammers in 1979 to break up the remaining concrete floor of John Wayne Gacy’s work shed, which was attached to the garage.
Harold and Elizabeth Piest enter the funeral for their son Robert at Our Lady of Hope Church in Rosemont on April 18, 1979. Robert Piest was killed by John Wayne Gacy.
Harold and Elizabeth Piest enter the funeral for their son Robert at Our Lady of Hope Church in Rosemont on April 18, 1979. Robert Piest was killed by John Wayne Gacy.
People's exhibit number 206: the crawlspace excavation in late 1978 or early 1979. This photograph was used in the Gacy trial.
People’s exhibit number 206: the crawlspace excavation in late 1978 or early 1979. This photograph was used in the Gacy trial.
A police car carrying John Wayne Gacy (second from right) arrives in Rockford on Jan. 26, 1980, where the accused murderer was transferred for jury selection in his trial.
A police car carrying John Wayne Gacy (second from right) arrives in Rockford on Jan. 26, 1980, where the accused murderer was transferred for jury selection in his trial.
The jury en route to court at 26th and California in Chicago on Feb. 8, 1980, for the John Wayne Gacy trial.
The jury en route to court at 26th and California in Chicago on Feb. 8, 1980, for the John Wayne Gacy trial.
One of John Wayne Gacy's attorneys, Sam Amirante, center, arrives at for the first day of the trial on Feb. 6, 1980.
One of John Wayne Gacy’s attorneys, Sam Amirante, center, arrives at for the first day of the trial on Feb. 6, 1980.
Marion Gacy, mother of John Wayne Gacy, leaves the court Feb. 25, 1980, after testifying in her son’s trial. With her is Gacy’s sister, Karen Gacy Kuzma, left. “I love my son,” Marion Gacy said on the witness stand. “I still don’t believe any of it. I can’t believe it. Not my son. I’d just like to erase everything.”
Eugenia Godzik, center, mother of victim Gregory Godzik, speaks briefly to the media after John Wayne Gacy was convicted March 12, 1980.
Eugenia Godzik, center, mother of victim Gregory Godzik, speaks briefly to the media after John Wayne Gacy was convicted March 12, 1980.
Workers demolish John Wayne Gacy's house on April 10, 1979.
Workers demolish John Wayne Gacy’s house on April 10, 1979.
The lot where John Wayne Gacy's house stood is roped off after the home was demolished in 1979.
The lot where John Wayne Gacy’s house stood is roped off after the home was demolished in 1979.
Personal effects seized from the home of John Wayne Gacy are displayed at the sheriff's station in Niles in 1980, as investigators continued to try to identify nine of the Gacy victims. Some of the items were believed to have been owned by Gacy's 33 victims.
Personal effects seized from the home of John Wayne Gacy are displayed at the sheriff’s station in Niles in 1980, as investigators continued to try to identify nine of the Gacy victims. Some of the items were believed to have been owned by Gacy’s 33 victims.
Cook County Chief Medical Examiner Robert Stein and sculptor Betty Pat Gatliff speak during a news conference July 14, 1980. Gatliff made facial reconstructions for each of the nine unidentified victims of convicted mass murderer John Wayne Gacy.
Cook County Chief Medical Examiner Robert Stein and sculptor Betty Pat Gatliff speak during a news conference July 14, 1980. Gatliff made facial reconstructions for each of the nine unidentified victims of convicted mass murderer John Wayne Gacy.
Eugenia Godzik, left, with her daughter, Eugenia, center, leave a hearing in which John Wayne Gacy was sentenced to death on March 13, 1980. Godzik is the mother of Gacy murder victim Gregory Godzik.
Eugenia Godzik, left, with her daughter, Eugenia, center, leave a hearing in which John Wayne Gacy was sentenced to death on March 13, 1980. Godzik is the mother of Gacy murder victim Gregory Godzik.
Services are held for the nine remaining unidentified victims of convicted mass murderer John Wayne Gacy at the Abbey Chapel in Oak Ridge-Glenoak Cemetery in Hillside on June 12, 1981, more than two years after their remains were pulled from the crawl space of Gacy's home.
Services are held for the nine remaining unidentified victims of convicted mass murderer John Wayne Gacy at the Abbey Chapel in Oak Ridge-Glenoak Cemetery in Hillside on June 12, 1981, more than two years after their remains were pulled from the crawl space of Gacy’s home.
Summerdale Avenue, where John Wayne Gacy's ranch home once stood, is a weed-choked lot on June 5, 1984.
Summerdale Avenue, where John Wayne Gacy’s ranch home once stood, is a weed-choked lot on June 5, 1984.