Veteran actor Jack Merrill recently revealed that he was abducted, raped, and held at gunpoint by notorious serial killer John Wayne Gacy more than 45 years ago. Merrill described himself as a “puny 19-year-old” when Gacy approached him as he was walking home from a swim at a YMCA in Chicago and asked if he wanted to go for a ride. When he got into Gacy’s car, he believed it would be a short ride around the block, but things took a horrifying turn when Gacy drove him to a different neighborhood and forced him to lock the door.
Gacy offered Merrill drugs and alcohol, handcuffed him, dragged him into his house, and proceeded to rape him at gunpoint. Merrill used his survival instincts from childhood to keep calm and avoid angering Gacy during the ordeal. Despite feeling sorry for his abuser, Merrill managed to diffuse the situation and eventually, Gacy unexpectedly took him home in the early morning. Merrill decided not to notify the police after the incident but did reach out to the Chicago Sun-Times when news of Gacy’s arrest broke, without revealing his identity due to his father’s association with the publication.
John Wayne Gacy, known as the “Killer Clown,” was eventually convicted of raping, torturing, and murdering at least 33 males between the ages of 14 and 21. He was arrested in 1978, convicted, and sentenced to death. Gacy was executed by lethal injection in 1994. After the traumatic experience with Gacy, Merrill moved to New York and pursued acting as a therapeutic form of self-expression. He considers himself lucky to have survived and despite the trauma, has built a happy life with his husband of 23 years and their pets.
Merrill’s upbringing in a challenging household where he had to navigate his parents’ rages prepared him to handle the traumatic encounter with Gacy. He reflected on how his experiences with a narcissistic mother and a famous baseball historian father shaped his resilience and ability to survive traumatic situations. By sharing his story through his one-man show “The Save” in Los Angeles, Merrill hopes to raise awareness about the experiences of survivors of sexual trauma and inspire others to find healing through self-expression and acceptance.
Merrill’s decision to speak out about his ordeal with Gacy after decades of keeping it private underscores the importance of sharing stories of trauma and survival. Despite the emotional and psychological impact of the abduction and assault, Merrill finds strength in his ability to confront the past through his acting and show the world the journey he has taken to overcome his traumatic experience. His resilience and determination to find happiness and fulfillment after surviving such a harrowing encounter serve as an inspiration for others who may have gone through similar ordeals. Through his work and storytelling, Merrill aims to empower survivors and shed light on the long-lasting effects of trauma on individuals’ lives.
