In this bonus episode of Once Upon a Crime, Esther revisits the horrific crimes of serial killer John Wayne Gacy, often referred to as “The Killer Clown,” and reviews the 2025 Peacock docu-drama Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy. The episode explores Gacy’s background, his crimes, the investigation's failures, and how the new series approaches the case from a victim-centered perspective.🔍 Episode OverviewA concise but comprehensive summary of John Wayne Gacy’s life, early red flags, criminal history, and escalation into serial murder.
In this bonus episode of Once Upon a Crime, Esther revisits the horrific crimes of serial killer John Wayne Gacy, often referred to as “The Killer Clown,” and reviews the 2025 Peacock docu-drama Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy. The episode explores Gacy’s background, his crimes, the investigation's failures, and how the new series approaches the case from a victim-centered perspective.
🔍 Episode Overview
- A concise but comprehensive summary of John Wayne Gacy’s life, early red flags, criminal history, and escalation into serial murder.
- A breakdown of the 1978 investigation that led to the discovery of 33 victims and Gacy’s eventual arrest.
- Key points from Gacy’s trial, sentencing, and 1994 execution after 14 years on death row.
- Esther’s review of the 2025 Peacock TV series, Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy:
- How the series differs from past portrayals
- Why its victim-focused storytelling stands out
- What is factually accurate and what is dramatized
- A discussion of additional theories, research, and case details not included in the series.
📚 Sources & Further Reading
- Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy (2025), Peacock TV / Littleton Road Productions
- Creator & Showrunner: Patrick McManus
- Rolling Stone – “Four Things ‘Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy’ Leaves Out”
- Elisabeth Garber-Paul (Oct 24, 2025)
- EBSCO Knowledge Advantage: John Wayne Gacy – Research Starters
- People Magazine – “‘Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy’ — What’s Fact, What’s Fiction?”
- Caroline Blair (Oct 20, 2025)
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✈️ Travel with Us to Mexico City! 🇲🇽
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📝 Connect With the Show
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