Mass Sex-murders Toll Rises Horrifically (Press, 28 December 1978)
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Summary: Mass Sex-murders Toll Rises Horrifically (Press, 28 December 1978)
On 27 December 1978, Chicago police reported an alarming discovery beneath the house of a former convict, John Wayne Gacy, prompting fears of one of the largest mass sex murder cases in American history. So far, authorities have unearthed nine bodies, with Gacy, a 36-year-old building contractor, facing charges for at least one murder. During investigations, Gacy claimed he had sexually assaulted and strangled 32 young men over a three-year period. Dr Robert Stein, the Cook County Medical Examiner, remarked that the case could signify one of the most dreadful crimes of the century, as he oversaw the exhumation of remains from Gacy's home in a suburban area of Chicago. Gacy, who has a history that includes two divorces and a past conviction for sodomy, confessed to burying 26 victims under his residence located in north-western Norridge, just outside the city limits of Chicago. He also indicated that he had disposed of some bodies in nearby rivers and lakes. The initial search resulted in the discovery of five bodies the previous week, and a further four were located the following day. In response to this shocking revelation, the police have begun to review files of missing individuals and have received an overwhelming number of inquiries—ranging from the United States to as far away as Britain and Australia—concerned parents hoping to locate sons who had vanished. One police official noted that they received numerous calls, estimating around 50 to 60 within just the first few hours of the investigation. Following his confession and the escalating concern over his wellbeing, Gacy was moved to a prison hospital for medical examination after his attorney reported that he was experiencing heart problems. As investigations progressed, the authorities continued to gather evidence and contacted families of young men who had been reported missing, intensifying the search for potential victims linked to Gacy's admissions.
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