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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