John Wayne Gacy Essay Research Paper One

John Wayne Gacy Essay, Research Paper

One of the most horrendous serial killers in modern history would have to be John Wayne Gacy, Jr. He was the second of three children and born in 1942. He lived in Chicago and attended catholic schools, and wasn’t a very popular boy in school. Gacy seemed to live a very normal childhood, with exception to his relationship with his father, and series of accidents that effected him. No one could have known what the future held for John, not even his father.

When Gacy was eleven years old, he was playing by a swing set, and was hit in the head by one of the swings. The accident caused a blood clot in little John’s brain. However, the blood clot was not discovered until he was 16. From the age of eleven to sixteen he suffered a series of blackouts caused by the clots; when given medicine, the clots disappeared along with the blackouts. At the age of seventeen, Gacy was diagnosed with a non-specific heart ailment. He was hospitalized on several occasions for his problem throughout his life, but they were not able to find an exact cause for his pain. However, although he complained about his heart(especially after his arrests) he never suffered a serious heart attack.

During Gacy’s late teens, he suffered some turmoil with his father, although the relations with his mother and sisters remained very strong. John’s father was an abusive alcoholic, who physically harmed his wife and verbally abused the children. Although, John, Sr. was an unpleasant individual, young Gacy deeply loved his father, and desperately wanted to gain his attention and devotion. Unfortunately, he was unable to get close to his father before he passed away. This was something that bothered John, Jr. for the rest of his life.

Gacy dropped out of high school and headed for the bright lights of Las Vegas, Nevada. He worked as a janitor at a local funeral parlor, doing various odd jobs. He tried desperately to earn enough money to return to Chicago. Soon, after he returned home from Las Vegas in the early 60’s, he enrolled himself in a business college and eventually graduated. While at Business College, he perfected the talent of salesmanship; Gacy was a born salesman who could talk his way out of almost anything. It was during this time that his health again took a turn for the worst.

He had gained a great deal of weight and began to suffer from his heart condition now more than ever. Soon after his hospitalization for his heart, he was hospitalized again for a spinal injury. His weight, heart, and back problems would plague Gacy for the rest of his life.

In September, 1964 met and married a co-worker named Marilyn Myers. Marilyn’s parents owned a chain of Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants. Gacy’s new father-in-law offered him a position in one of these franchises. Soon after this, John and his wife moved to Iowa. Life seemed to hold a lot of promise for Gacy at this time in his life. John worked tirelessly, performing many hours of community work for the local Jaycees. Gacy averaged 12 hours a day at this managerial position. It was there where he made most of his friends and spent most of his time. In Clifford L. Linedecker’s book, The Man who Killed Boys he quoted Charlie Hill, a Jaycee volunteer whom he knew well; “ He wanted to be very successful, and he wanted to be recognized by his peers. . . . [Gacy] Was always working on some project, he was devoted to the Jaycees. The club was his whole life.” However Gacy managed to find time for his wife when not busy working or volunteering.

Marilyn gave birth to a baby boy shortly after moving to Iowa. Soon after this, they enjoyed the birth of a daughter. The Gacy’s had every reason to be happy during their first years in Iowa. They had a nice home in the suburbs, and a loving healthy family. Marilyn enjoyed looking after the children, as John enjoyed his career and volunteer works. Everything seemed almost too good to be true . . .

Everything seemed to be looking good for John Wayne Gacy, Jr, yet his lucky streak wouldn’t last for very long. Rumors were spreading around town about Gacy’s sexual preferences. It seemed that young boys were always in Gacy’s presence. Whether it be at the restaurant or during community work. People close to him refused to believe the rumors until May of 1968, when rumors became truths.

In the spring of ’68 ,Gacy was indicted by a grand jury in Black Hawk County for allegedly committing sodomy on a young boy name Mark Miller. Miller told the courts that Gacy tricked him into being tied up while visiting Gacy’s home a year earlier. He also claimed Gacy violently raped him. Gacy denied the charges brought against him, and told a conflicting story. He stated that Miller willingly had sex with him for an extra amount of money. However, Miller’s weren’t the only charges Gacy would end up facing. Four months later, he was charge with hiring an 18-year-old boy to assault Mark Miller. Gacy offered Dwight Anderson $310 if he would carry out the beating. Anderson lured Miller to his car and drove him to a wooded area, where he sprayed mace in his eyes and began to beat him. Miller fought back and broke Anderson’s nose and managed to escape to safety. Soon after Miller called the police, the police apprehended Anderson. Anderson told officials of Gacy’s proposition. A judge ordered Gacy to undergo psychiatric evaluation at several menta