How does a serial killer like John Wayne Gacy slip through the cracks for so long? In this episode, we uncover the police mistakes, overlooked red flags, and deference to politics and social standing that allowed Gacy to continue killing undetected. From dismissing missing persons reports to ignoring eyewitness accounts, investigators repeatedly glossed over crucial evidence—convinced that the well-connected contractor, Democratic Party volunteer, and charitable “clown” couldn’t possibly be capable of such horrors. These failures gave Gacy the cover he needed to murder dozens of young men and boys, burying them beneath his home while maintaining a public image of success and generosity.
This is the third in a four-part true crime podcast series on the life, crimes, and trial of John Wayne Gacy. Follow along as each episode uncovers new layers of his twisted story, from childhood trauma to his horrifying killing spree and the investigation that finally brought him down.
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