Why a Booktrail?
1972 – 1978: The horrific story of the respected businessman who was also a serial killer
The Chicago Killer
What you need to know before your trail
John Wayne Gacy was a well respected businessman in Chicago and a pillar of the local community. He raised money for charities and dressed as a clown to entertain the local children. He was also a serial killer, found guilty of torturing and murdering some 33 young men, most of whom were found buried underneath the crawl space in his Chicago home.
The Detective who brought him to justice? Joseph Kozenczak. This is his story
Locations
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Des Plaines Illinois
Des plaines is a city in Cook County Illinois not far from Chicago. the police force here was the one at the centre of the investigation into the disappearance of a young boy working nights at a chemist. A victim of a serial killer who up until now had been killing in plain sight.
The cities of Chicago and Des Plaines were horrified to discover that over the years, one of their most trusted and respected business men had been torturing, raping and killing young boys and men in the area.
Gacy only really came to police attention when he took Robert Piest from a chemist where the boy worked, on the premise that he had a job with his building company which paid more. His mum was waiting in the chemist to pick him up. He was never seen again.
Remarkably there is now a house which has been built on the plot of the house of horrors. It was underneath Gacy’s house in Summerscale where he buried most of his victims.
Joseph Kozenczak knew early on that this man was dangerous and he did everything in his power to bring him to justice. His methods and discoveries are now used apparently within the police and FBI to track other serial killers.
Booktrail Boarding Pass: The Chicago Killer
Destination: Des Plaines, Chicago Author/Guide: Joseph R Kozenczak Departure Time: 1972 – 1978
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