John Wayne Gacy is known as one of the world’s most notorious serial killers. Gacy’s crimes evoke some of the darkest fears in pop culture. Nothing terrifies us more than evil clowns.
But what if that evil lives in your home? This was the reality for Michael and Christine Gacy. Their father’s legacy would leave them wrestling with existential questions about the man they knew as dad, and also responsible for the deaths of 33 young men.
Gacy was convicted of 33 counts of murder, targeting boys and young men. Between 1972 and 1978 Gacy would extinguish the lives of many young men, and hide their bodies in the crawl space beneath his home. All while maintaining the facade of local family man.
To all outward appearances, Gacy was an upstanding member of his community. He managed 3 local KFC branches and even became a member of the local United States Junior Chamber, or Jaycees.
Like most serial killers, Gacy was deeply manipulative, and hid his true persona from his community and family. He was praised as a valuable member of the community, so trusted that he performed as a clown at children’s parties. He was an active community member and even a volunteer.
Michael and Christine Gacy were born to Gacy and his first wife Marlynn Myers in February 1966 and March 1977 respectively. They made the picture of a perfect family. However, Gacy’s dark nature would reveal itself soon enough. In 1968 Gacy was convicted of a sex offence and sentenced to 18 months at Anamosa State Penitentiary. After his conviction Myers would file for divorce, and win sole custody of the children.
After his first marriage ended , Gacy would marry a second time in 1972, this time to Carol Hoff. It was during this marriage that Gacy would start his murderous spree. Although he did not have any children with Hoff, she did have two children from a previous marriage. Hoff described Gacy as violent and abusive during their marriage. They would divorce in 1976 before his killings were revealed.
Not surprisingly, Gacy’s children and extended family have elected to stay out of the public eye and have not spoken publicly about the crimes. There is very little information available regarding the whereabouts and circumstances of Michael and Christine Gacy, although many assume they changed their names and went into hiding.
When your father is the Killer Clown, I don’t think anyone can blame you for not wanting to be associated with that.