When the police raided 8213 West Summerdale Ave. in Chicago’s Norwood Park in 1978, they uncovered a chilling scene: 29 bodies hidden inside the house. It may have appeared as an ordinary house from the outside, but it was a house of horrors, the dwelling of John Wayne Gacy, one of America’s most infamous serial killers.
John Wayne Gacy – The Killer Next Door
In the 1970s, 8213 W. Summerdale Avenue in Chicago, Illinois was the address of a seemingly innocuous house. However, behind closed doors, John Wayne Gacy embarked on a spree of terror, murdering 33 young men and boys between 1972 and 1976. Gacy’s double life as a construction worker and a clown named “Pogo” at children’s parties allowed him to go unnoticed by those who knew him.
The Early Life of John Wayne Gacy
John Wayne Gacy’s twisted path started with a troubled childhood. Born in Chicago on March 17, 1942, Gacy experienced abuse and cruelty from his father, who beat and berated him. At the age of seven, he was molested by a family friend but remained silent out of fear. Gacy also kept his homosexuality hidden. Despite marrying and having children, he coerced younger men into sexual encounters.
Eventually, Gacy’s actions caught up with him when 15-year-old Donald Voorhees reported that Gacy had forced him into oral sex. In 1967, Gacy pleaded guilty to oral sodomy, leading to divorce and imprisonment.
The Horrors Inside Gacy’s House
After serving less than two years in prison, Gacy tried to rebuild his life. He remarried and moved into a new home at 8213 West Summerdale Avenue, which would soon become the site of unspeakable atrocities. Between 1972 and 1976, Gacy mercilessly murdered at least 33 young men and boys, luring them to the house under the pretense of offering part-time work. Once inside, he tortured and strangled his victims.
Aside from his chilling murders, Gacy maintained a façade, working as a clown named “Pogo” at children’s parties. It wasn’t until several teenage boys reported him for sexual assault that the police began to suspect his true nature. Gacy finally confessed to his crimes in 1978 and, despite attempting an insanity plea, was sentenced to death in 1980.
The Haunting Legacy of Gacy’s House
The crawl space of Gacy’s house yielded the remains of 26 bodies, with three more discovered on the neighboring property. A few additional bodies were found in the nearby Des Plaines River, where Gacy had dumped them. Although Gacy was executed in 1994, the story of his house continues to captivate.
The original house was demolished in 1978, and a new residence, featuring three bedrooms and two bathrooms, now stands on the site. Renumbered as 8215, the property has changed ownership multiple times. Recently, it was sold for $395,000 in March 2021. According to Patch, the house boasts a spacious backyard, a cozy fireplace, and an updated kitchen.
While the physical structure has evolved, the investigation into the murders committed at Gacy’s house remains ongoing. The identities of five victims remain unknown, leaving officials dedicated to discovering who these individuals were before Gacy ended their lives. This chilling legacy ensures that the site of John Wayne Gacy’s house remains an open chapter in the history of murder.
To delve deeper into the story surrounding John Wayne Gacy, explore the life of his wife, Carole Hoff. Additionally, take a glimpse into the disturbing paintings created by Gacy himself.