The Curious Clown Suits of John Wayne Gacy (2024)

Preserved in a glass case among the exhibits at Alcatraz East are the curious clown suits of John Wayne Gacy. Although is curious the right word, or would creepy be better? They were both, I guess.

I got to thinking about them because one of the serial killer spirits the Ghost Adventures crew will investigate is John Wayne Gacy. (They’re hoping to find his spirit at the Old Joliet Prison.)

As I did when I came across several of the artifacts on display in the crime museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee (they have a very impressive assortment of items), I inhaled sharply when I spied the clown suits. I knew without even having to read any plaque that they could only belong to one man: “Killer Clown” John Wayne Gacy.

Killer Clown?

“You know… clowns can get away with murder.” ~John Wayne Gacy

Although, did he ever kill while dressed up as a clown? I’m not clear about that.

He was a member of the “Jolly Joker” club. He’d dress up as either Pogo the Clown or Patches the Clown, two characters he created himself, and would perform at fund-raising events, parades and entertain kids in hospitals.

But he definitely was a killer. It appears he wasn’t in clown mode when he’d lure teenage boys to his house, then strangle or asphyxiate them. Maybe before he did the deed he dressed up? Don’t know. (Part of me doesn’t want to know either.)

He disposed of 26 bodies in the crawl space under his home, and when that filled up he started chucking them into the Des Plaines River.

He was believed to have murdered at least 33 young men, but the total could be as high as 45. Samuel Little is now thought to be America’s most prolific serial killer (he’s confessed to over 90 victims), but Gacy once held that title.

Multiple Personalities?

According to Wikipedia, Gacy’s defense team had him plead “not guilty by reason of insanity.” Gacy tried to convince doctors he suffered from multiple personality disorder, but was he ever diagnosed with such?

I’m not sure. (There’s a lot I’m not sure about when it comes to this man. Further reading and research may be required. Unless you know. Then by all means check-in and tell me.)

However, I found this tidbit curious because that’s the first thing I thought when I spied his clown suits at Alcatraz East last November. Specifically the buttons on them.

I’ll get there, but first let’s look at the suits.

Pogo and Patches

The first suit I saw was the red and white one. Pogo.

According to the info card with the suits, Gacy said that his Pogo persona was a “tranquilizer” for him. It allowed him to escape to “another world.” (A world full of clowns or pedophiliac killers, though, that’s the question.)

Then I saw his Patches outift and my first thought was, “That’s appropriately named,” followed by, “Huh. I never knew he had two clown get ups.”

Side note: Did you know John Wayne Gacy had two clown alter egos? This made me wonder something I never had about clowns before –or, rather, those who dress up as them: is it common for clowns to have multiple characters, or do they usually stick to just one?

Would I have thought these outfits were creepy had I not known who had worn them?

Probably not. I would’ve thought the Patches one was a bit dingy and the Pogo one was a bit dated, but that both must’ve gotten good use. Maybe as part of a circus or something.

However, knowing who wore them –and seeing how big they were (he would’ve made an intimidating sized clown)– did make it creepy.

Button Contradiction

I was curious what his buttons said. There were more on the Pogo suit. I couldn’t help but wonder did he have them custom made or find them somewhere?

The “Lead Me To Your Taker” gave me a shiver. Especially knowing he lured and essentially abducted so many victims. He was the Taker. Freaky.

But then I looked at the one on his Pogo suit.

The contradiction immediately struck me. Not only because he has a button that says don’t waste time reading it, but his other outfit had multiple buttons.

Which character did he create first then? Pogo or Patches?

I’d be willing to bet Pogo came first, but I don’t know. (Again, perfect time for you smarty farties to check-in and speak up!)

If these were on any other clown’s suit, would they be creepy? Maybe not.

However, in retrospect, knowing who wore them? They’re disturbing –and perhaps telling about his psyche in some way? Perhaps he did suffer from multiple personality disorder.

He was a complicated man and full of contradictions. Married twice, but attracted to boys. A father, but an abuser of children. (Not sure about his own kids, but definitely the unlucky teenage boys who crossed his path.) A businessman who was active in his community, but an active monster who preyed on the unsuspecting youths within his community.

Check-In

Have you been to Alcatraz East in Pigeon Forge?

If so, was there any exhibits that gave you pause?

If not, is this a museum you think you’d like to check out? (I highly recommend making a jaunt here if you’re at all into true crime. It’s absorbing!)

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