John Wayne Gacy’s House: Where Did He Live and Where Was His Last Home?

For research purposes, social media content, or just plain old curiosity, people want to know where the infamous house of serial killer John Wayne Gacy was located in Chicago. The place where the serial killer killed and buried his victims before he was caught and executed for his crimes was 8213 West Summerdale Avenue, Norwood Park Township. Unfortunately, you would not be able to see the property today as that address no longer exists and the house that once stood on that location was brought down.

Gacy tapped into the clown character he knew how to play to lure about 33 men to his home to rape them. The men followed him because he also promised to give them construction work. After raping his victims, Gacy murdered and buried them underneath his house. He was executed for his actions.

Where Did John Wayne Gacy Live?

John Wayne Gacy called Cook County, Chicago, his home; he was born and brought up in the city. The exact address of the ranch style house with brick exterior he lived in is 8213 West Summerdale Avenue, near the village of Norridge, Norwood Park Township.

According to records, Gacy purchased the house in 1971. He was able to purchase it with the help of his mother though he would later become a rich man thanks to his construction business which saw him make a quarter of a million dollars per annum.

John Wayne and his mom lived together in his house until he got married to his second wife, Carole Hoff, in June 1972. He and Carole, and his two stepdaughters lived in the house until they split. She and her daughters moved out in February 1976.

John Wayne Gacy House
The exterior of John Wayne Gacy’s house Image Source

John Wayne Gacy House Address Location

John Wayne Gacy’s house, which has since been torn down and redeveloped, was located in the Chicago suburbs. It was here that Gacy often threw his summer-themed parties for friends and loved ones. No one knew that it was in the same house they partied that horrible murders where committed by their host.

John Gacy would lure boys in their teens and early 20s to his house. Under the guise of showing them magic tricks as a clown, he would handcuff them, rape them and proceed to strangle them. Using his skills as a construction worker, he would then bury their bodies under the house and no one would be able to tell that such a thing happened.

John Wayne Gracy buried so many bodies under his house that there was no more space. Still going around luring people to rape and kill, he had no option to either bury the bodies in his backyard or throw them into the Des Plaines Rivers. His first victim was Timothy McCoy, whom he killed on 3 January 1972, and his last victim was Robert Piest, who he killed on 11 December 1978. John Wayne Gacy was arrested on 21 December 1978 after an investigation triggered by Piest’s disappearance.

John Wayne Gacy House
Cops investigating the crawl space at John Wayne Gacy’s house Image Source

What Has Happened To John Wayne Gacy’s House Now, Is It Still Standing?

John Wayne Gacy’s ranch house was demolished by the state in 1979 during the search for his victims’ bodies. This was to enable investigators to recover the dead bodies buried beneath. The vacant lot stood empty for several years until it was purchased by Hoyne Savings and Loan Association in 1984 for $30,544.

The construction of a new house on the property started a few years later and the city approved the changing of the house address from 8213 to 8215 West Summerdale Avenue. The property – a three-bedroom, two-bathroom house with a huge backyard – has since been bought and sold several times. It was sold for $300,000 in 2004 and $395,000 in May 2021.

John Wayne Gacy’s house was the subject of a 2010 production in which investigators entered to look for evidence of paranormal activity. They also performed séances seeking to call forth the spirit of Wayne or his victims.

John Wayne Gacy House
People watching the demolition of John Wayne Gacy’s House Image Source

Where Was John Wayne Gacy’s Last Home?

John Wayne Gacy’s last home was the Menard Correctional Center in Chicago where he spent 14 years before he was transferred to Statesville Correctional Center to be executed.

Where was John Wayne Gacy’s Childhood Home?

John Wayne Gacy’s childhood home was located in Chicago, Illinois. The exact address is not readily available, but it must have been in a good suburb since his parents were reportedly upper middle class. So much has been said and written about Gacy’s dad, including the fact that he was verbally and physically abusive towards his son; one of the reasons given for Gacy turning into a monster.

Recommended

Featured Today

Fact Check: We strive for accuracy and fairness, if you've found a possible error, be it factual, editorial or something that needs updating, please contact us

Read This Next