Bonus: John Wayne Gacy: A Case Review & Peacock’s “Devil in Disguise”

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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📝 Connect With the Show

Have thoughts about the series or the case? Want more bonus reviews?

Let Esther know on social media or at truecrimepodcast.com. 

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