Actor Jack Merrill recently revealed his horrifying encounter with serial killer John Wayne Gacy in 1978. Merrill, who was 19 at the time, was abducted and raped by Gacy. The actor described being approached by Gacy while walking home in Chicago and being drugged with amyl nitrite before waking up handcuffed and realizing he was in danger at Gacy’s house. Despite feeling trapped, Merrill remained calm during the ordeal to avoid angering Gacy, who eventually dropped him back near where he was found.
During the terrifying experience, Merrill recalled Gacy putting a homemade contraption around his neck to prevent him from struggling, threatening him with a gun, and raping him. Despite the trauma, Merrill never fought back and remained composed throughout the ordeal. Eventually, Gacy let Merrill go and even gave him his phone number, but Merrill chose to discard it and never contacted the police about the incident. Months later, when news broke about bodies being found at a suburban site linked to Gacy, Merrill realized the extent of the danger he had faced.
Since the traumatic encounter, Merrill has found solace in acting and forgiveness towards Gacy. Through acting, he was able to express himself honestly and find recognition and acceptance. Merrill also credits his longtime husband for bringing peace into his life. He has even written a one-man show, “The Save,” about his experience, which is currently playing in Los Angeles. The actor believes that he has learned from the negative experience and used it for good in his life.
John Wayne Gacy was a prolific serial killer who abducted, sexually assaulted, and killed at least 33 young men between 1972 and 1978. He was finally caught in 1978, found guilty of 33 counts of murder in 1980, and sentenced to death. Gacy was executed via lethal injection in 1994, 14 years after his conviction. To provide support for survivors of sexual assault, the National Sexual Assault Hotline can be contacted at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
