Bonus: John Wayne Gacy: A Case Review & Peacock’s “Devil in Disguise”

Bonus: John Wayne Gacy: A Case Review & Peacock’s “Devil in Disguise”

In this bonus episode of Once Upon a Crime, Esther revisits the horrific crimes of serial killer John Wayne Gacy, often referred to as “The Killer Clown,” and reviews the 2025 Peacock docu-drama Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy. The episode explores Gacy’s background, his crimes, the investigation's failures, and how the new series approaches the case from a victim-centered perspective.


🔍 Episode Overview

  • A concise but comprehensive summary of John Wayne Gacy’s life, early red flags, criminal history, and escalation into serial murder.
  • A breakdown of the 1978 investigation that led to the discovery of 33 victims and Gacy’s eventual arrest.
  • Key points from Gacy’s trial, sentencing, and 1994 execution after 14 years on death row.
  • Esther’s review of the 2025 Peacock TV series, Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy:
  • How the series differs from past portrayals
  • Why its victim-focused storytelling stands out
  • What is factually accurate and what is dramatized
  • A discussion of additional theories, research, and case details not included in the series.

📚 Sources & Further Reading

  • Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy (2025), Peacock TV / Littleton Road Productions
  • Creator & Showrunner: Patrick McManus
  • Rolling Stone – “Four Things ‘Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy’ Leaves Out”
  • Elisabeth Garber-Paul (Oct 24, 2025)
  • EBSCO Knowledge Advantage: John Wayne Gacy – Research Starters
  • People Magazine – “‘Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy’ — What’s Fact, What’s Fiction?”
  • Caroline Blair (Oct 20, 2025)

This episode was brought to you by:

Completing the Puzzle - Go to CompletingthePuzzle.com and use code OUAC for $10 off your first puzzle subscription box or gift card. Because no one’s been murdered while doing a puzzle.

Shop our OUAC MERCH SHOP holiday sale!

For a limited time, get up to 27% off all products — including $16 tees — during our Holiday Sale. But hurry, deals end December 15th! Place your order by the 15th for delivery before Christmas.

Shop now at onceuponacrime.dashery.com.

✈️ Travel with Us to Mexico City! 🇲🇽

We’re taking Once Upon a Crime on the road—and you’re invited! In March 2026, join us for a fun, fabulous 4-day group trip to vibrant Mexico City. Explore incredible sights, savor delicious food, and connect with fellow true crime fans on an unforgettable adventure.

Reserve your spot today with just 25% down—but hurry, space is limited and will sell out fast!

🔗 Click here to learn more and book your spot now!



📝 Connect With the Show

Have thoughts about the series or the case? Want more bonus reviews?

Let Esther know on social media or at truecrimepodcast.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jaksot(401)

Murdered Musicians: The Mysterious Death of Al Jackson Jr.

Murdered Musicians: The Mysterious Death of Al Jackson Jr.

In 1975, a renowned drummer who played with some of the most prominent artists of the 1960s and ‘70s was found shot and killed after an apparent botched robbery.    But some suspected Al Jackson, Jr. had been set up for murder.  Was his soon-to-be ex-wife involved in his slaying? Was a friend’s relationship with a wanted fugitive to blame?  Or was he privy to sensitive music business information that made him a target?    Resources:  https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/nov/25/al-jackson-jr-memphis-sunset-the-mysterious-death-of-stax-heartbeat  http://staxrecords.free.fr/aljacksonpage.htm https://torontosun.com/news/world/hunter-murder-music-and-the-memphis-sound-of-stax-volt http://vancouverdrummer.blogspot.com/2017/09/al-jackson.html     Links:  Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime  Our website: www.truecrimepodcast.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

14 Loka 202425min

Murdered Musicians: Zapped - The Life and Death of Funk Musician Roger

Murdered Musicians: Zapped - The Life and Death of Funk Musician Roger

In this episode, a young Ohio man begins playing music before he is barely out of diapers. He and his brothers would form a band and shoot to the top of the charts. They were hometown heroes and certified music stars, but a baffling turn of events would end in a double tragedy.     This is chapter one in the Rocktober series, “Murdered Musicians” - Zapped - The Life and Death of Funk Musician Roger.    Resources:  https://www.dayton.com/news/local/icon-lost-one-dayton-most-gut-wrenching-murders-years-ago/g0LamsZlgO9s7NvR6Ar6cM/ https://www.daytondailynews.com/what-to-know/troutman-brothers-shot-dead-recording-artist-believed-victim-in-murder-suicide/HDHRGKMFV5BP5DQVK53FIE7DX4/ https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/zapp-brothers-found-dead-90905/ https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/local/photos-roger-troutman-and-the-legendary-zapp-band-through-the-years/s5jkHsjNadR3ym8L3YLK9H/ https://vimeopro.com/user15889254/unsung/video/301288752  https://www.grunge.com/931330/the-tragic-1999-murder-of-funk-legend-roger-troutman-explained/ https://ohtravel88.wordpress.com/2020/06/14/the-tragic-stories-of-roger-larry-troutman-and-ray-combs/   Links:  Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

7 Loka 202424min

Presenting: “Murder in the Orange Grove: The Troubled Case Against Crosley Green”

Presenting: “Murder in the Orange Grove: The Troubled Case Against Crosley Green”

On a dark night in April 1989, a young man named Chip Flynn was shot in a Florida orange grove. His ex-girlfriend Kim was the only surviving witness and claimed a Black man had robbed, kidnapped, and killed Chip. A year later, Crosley Green was sentenced to death by an all-white jury for Flynn's murder. After 32 years behind bars, a judge ruled Green was wrongfully convicted — so why is he still in prison? Here’s a preview of the new “48 Hours” podcast, “Murder in the Orange Grove: The Troubled Case Against Crosley Green” which offers the most comprehensive deep dive into this shocking case that leaves one man fighting desperately for his freedom. "48 Hours" correspondent Erin Moriarty has followed this controversial case for 25 years, delving into inconsistencies — from coerced confessions to allegations of a racial hoax — that challenge the integrity of the verdict. You can hear the rest of this episode by searching for “Murder in the Orange Grove: The Troubled Case Against Crosley Green”wherever you get your podcasts.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

25 Syys 202413min

The Politics of Murder - The Attack on Paul Pelosi

The Politics of Murder - The Attack on Paul Pelosi

A formerly peace-loving man becomes obsessed with extreme political conspiracy theories. David DePape falls down a rabbit hole, consuming ever-more radical views on YouTube, blogs, and social media posts.   A perfect storm of factors will cause him to carry out a baffling and horrific attack after breaking into the home of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.    Resources:  “Paul Pelosi attack: From nudist activism to online hate, suspect David DePape’s strange descent,” Rachel Swan, Dustin Gardiner, and Sarah Ravani, The San Francisco Chronicle, November 16, 2023.    “Where is Nancy?: Here’s what happened, minute by minute, inside the Pelosi home,” Megan Cassidy, The San Francisco Chronicle, November 3, 2022.    “David DePape Sentenced after Conviction on Assault and Attempted Kidnapping Charges,” Press Release, Office of the Attorney General, May 17, 2024.   “Gypsy Taub Speaks Out About Ex-Boyfriend David DePape,” Jay Barmann, SFist.com, October 31, 2022.    “Ex-wife of man who attacked Paul Pelosi is barred from court,” Brian Krans, KQED, June 18, 2024.    Links:  Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime   Dani After Dark - Watch my interview on “Dani After Dark” on YouTube - https://youtu.be/_krzF5A1t7I?si=1dY4TgRrQA3DtrLCSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

23 Syys 202429min

The Politics of Murder: Panic at the Ballpark - The Congressional Baseball Game Shooting

The Politics of Murder: Panic at the Ballpark - The Congressional Baseball Game Shooting

In this month’s series, “The Politics of Murder,” we’ll take a look at cases where violent acts are perpetrated upon political figures.  In this episode, a disgruntled man whose life is unraveling due to his own actions places the blame on the policies of one political party.  His random act of violence will turn a pleasant day at a ballpark into ten minutes of horror and chaos.     Sources:  https://www.secretservice.gov/sites/default/files/reports/2020-06/Hodgkinson.pdf https://www.washingtonian.com/2018/05/28/terrifying-story-of-the-congressional-baseball-shooting-steve-scalise/ https://www.politico.com/news/2021/04/21/2017-baseball-field-shooting-fbi-conculsion-483993   Links:  Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

16 Syys 202442min

The Politics of Murder - The Shooting of Gabby Giffords

The Politics of Murder - The Shooting of Gabby Giffords

In this month’s series, “The Politics of Murder,” we’ll take a look at cases where violent acts are perpetrated upon political figures.  First up, a young man begins to lose his grip on reality and fixates on a congressperson whom he targets for assassination.  Jared Lee Loughner’s mass shooting at a community political event will spark debate regarding violent political rhetoric, gun control laws, and the state of mental health care in the U.S.   Sources:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Tucson_shooting http://edition.cnn.com/2011/CRIME/01/08/arizona.shooting.suspect/ http://www.cnn.com/2011/CRIME/01/09/arizona.shooting.investigation/index.html https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/03/27/gabby-giffords-shooting-records/2024589/ http://www.cnn.com/2011/CRIME/01/15/arizona.shooting.images/index.html https://edition.cnn.com/2012/11/08/justice/arizona-loughner-sentencing/index.html https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/03/27/gabby-giffords-shooting-records/2024589/ https://www.cnn.com/2012/08/07/us/arizona-loughner-plea/index.html  https://theweek.com/articles/488172/arizona-massacre-should-sarah-palin-share-blame   Links:  Once Upon a Crime on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponACrimePodcast Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

9 Syys 202438min

Buried Family Secrets: Dark Tide: Growing Up with Ted Bundy

Buried Family Secrets: Dark Tide: Growing Up with Ted Bundy

Before Ted Bundy became a collective symbol of a real-life boogeyman and the person who helped coin the term “serial killer,” he was a son, a brother, a grandson, and a cousin - someone with friends and family members who loved him and never could have suspected the evil that lay within him and would come to destroy so many lives.    In this episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with one of those family members - someone who grew up with Ted Bundy and with whom he shared a close relationship.   Edna Cowell Martin knew Bundy as “cousin Ted.”  Having to face the horror of what her cousin had done and the chaos of the media circus surrounding his arrest, trial, and execution, Edna and her family chose to remain anonymous…until now.     Edna’s new memoir, “Dark Tide: Growing Up with Ted Bundy,” reveals new details of his life, personality, and family relationships through his cousin Edna’s memories, photographs, and letters from Bundy himself.  We learn what it was like for his family members to grapple with the realization that a person they loved and thought they knew well was one of the most infamous serial killers in U.S. history.    *** You can purchase the book “Dark Tide: Growing Up with Ted Bundy” at the link below or ask for it at your favorite independent bookstore.    https://amzn.to/3SQ3MNR   One listener will win a copy of the book.  To enter, go to our Instagram page, look for the “Dark Tide” post, and follow the instructions to have a chance to win. Good luck!  https://www.instagram.com/OnceUponaCrimePod/  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

26 Elo 202455min

Buried Family Secrets - My Grandfather the Serial Killer - Jim Mordecai

Buried Family Secrets - My Grandfather the Serial Killer - Jim Mordecai

A young woman grows up hearing stories about her abusive grandfather. She takes it upon herself to learn the whole truth about him. In the course of her investigation, shocking revelations come to light, and she begins to ask the question - was Jim Mordecai a serial killer?   Sources: The Truth About Jim, 2024, Skye Borgman, director. Distributed by HBO Max.  https://www.foxnews.com/us/california-woman-suspects-relative-was-serial-killer-uncovering-family-secrets  https://www.the-sun.com/news/10391888/truth-about-jim-mordecai-hbo-sierra-barter/ https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-reviews/the-truth-about-jim-docuseries-1234968110/  https://www.businessinsider.com/jim-mordecai-zodiac-killer-the-truth-about-jim-sierra-barter-2024-2  https://www.theeducationisthub.com/jim-mordecai/    Links. Once Upon a Crime on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponACrimePodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

19 Elo 202439min

Suosittua kategoriassa Yhteiskunta

rss-ootsa-kuullut-tasta
siita-on-vaikea-puhua
kolme-kaannekohtaa
aikalisa
olipa-kerran-otsikko
i-dont-like-mondays
sita
poks
antin-palautepalvelu
kaksi-aitia
loukussa
mamma-mia
ootsa-kuullut-tasta-2
meidan-pitais-puhua
yopuolen-tarinoita-2
rss-murhan-anatomia
terapeuttiville-qa
lahko
gogin-ja-janin-maailmanhistoria
rss-palmujen-varjoissa