The John Wayne Gacy Murders: Life and Death in Chicago

John Wayne Gacy experiences a traumatizing childhood which continues into puberty when he realizes he is attracted to other males. Gacy begins acting on his dark desires while working at a Las Vegas funeral home. Trying to fit in, Gacy marries his first wife.

After moving to Waterloo, Gacy is arrested for committing sodomy on a teenager. In the Anamosa Men's Reformatory, Gacy acts as the perfect inmate to secure an early release. Once back in Chicago, Gacy marries again as he continues to sleep with young men.

While beginning his contracting business and performing as a clown, Gacy perfects his killing techniques using handcuffs and a rope. As one of his potential victims turns the tables on Gacy, the Chicago police do their best to follow up on complaints about Gac

Gacy releases two victims who go to the police. As his killing spree continues, Gacy picks up a teenager in Des Plaines. Believing that Gacy was involved in the teens disappearance, Des Plaines P.D. places Gacy on twenty-four-hour surveillance.

While Gacy confesses, investigators begin excavating his crawlspace and identifying the remains of the young boys murdered by Gacy. A map of his crawlspace, his "cemetery", is drawn by Gacy for investigators searching for remains.

Investigators finish the excavation of Gacy's crawlspace and discover there are more bodies on his property. Gacy's trial begins amid rampant homophobia. Chief Prosecutor William Kunkle describes his epic closing argument to the jury.

Becoming the first true serial killer celebrity, Gacy corresponds with thousands of people who send him letters and also begins painting and selling his offensive art. Rick Staton discusses being Gacy's art dealer and the murder metal band Macabre talks about writing to and visiting Gacy in prison. Brian Dennehy discusses his role in "To Catch a Killer". Gacy's execution date is set.

The identification of Gacy's unknown victims is detailed. Theories in the Gacy case are presented as myths are debunked. Gacy's killer clown persona has influenced pop culture through movies and ephemera.