How Did John Wayne Gacy Die? Inside the Killer Clown's Death 31 Years Ago, Including His Notorious Last Words

Published: Saturday, May 10, 2025 at 4:00 pm

31 Years Later: Remembering the Death of Killer Clown John Wayne Gacy

Thirty-one years ago, on May 10, 1994, the infamous serial killer John Wayne Gacy, also known as the "Killer Clown," met his end at the Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill, Illinois. Gacy, convicted of murdering at least 33 young men and boys throughout the 1970s, was executed by lethal injection. His crimes shocked the nation, as he maintained a dual life, appearing as a friendly community figure while secretly preying on vulnerable individuals.

Gacy's execution was a somber event, marked by a controversial process. The execution took 18 minutes, significantly longer than anticipated, due to a clog in the intravenous line. His final words, delivered just before the lethal injection, were a defiant "Kiss my a--." Prior to his execution, Gacy enjoyed a final meal of Kentucky Fried Chicken, a nod to his past as a restaurant manager.

The public reaction to Gacy's death was one of relief and, for some, celebration. Nearly 1,000 people gathered in Chicago to mark the occasion, releasing balloons and mocking his clown persona. Survivors and those involved in the case expressed a range of emotions, from relief to a lack of sympathy.

Gacy's crimes continue to fascinate and horrify, with numerous documentaries and series revisiting the case. Netflix's "Conversations with a Killer: The John Wayne Gacy Tapes" and Peacock's "John Wayne Gacy: Devil in Disguise" are just a few examples. A new limited drama series, "Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy," is also in development.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, help is available. Text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to connect with a certified crisis counselor.

Keywords: John Wayne Gacy, Killer Clown, death, execution, serial killer, crimes, last words, Stateville Correctional Center, May 10 1994, Netflix, Conversations with a Killer, Devil in Disguise, Chicago, Illinois, KFC, lethal injection, victims, survivors, documentaries, Peacock, Michael Chernus, Crisis Text Line, sexual abuse.

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