Jack Merrill Claims He Was Abducted and Raped by John Wayne Gacy

Actor Jack Merrill Recalls Harrowing Encounter with John Wayne Gacy

In a shocking revelation, actor Jack Merrill has come forward to share his traumatic experience with infamous serial killer John Wayne Gacy. Now 65, Merrill, known for his roles in various television series such as Law & Order, Hannah Montana, Grey’s Anatomy, and Sex and the City, was just 19 years old when he was abducted and assaulted by Gacy in 1978.

Writing in a reflective piece, Merrill recounted the fateful night in Chicago when he encountered Gacy while walking home. A vehicle pulled up alongside him, and Gacy invited him for a ride. Merrill recalled the chilling details of Gacy’s introduction: “A guy pulled over and said, ‘Do you want to go for a ride?’” This seemingly innocent question turned into a nightmare.

Once in the car, Gacy introduced a substance known as amyl nitrite, also called “poppers.” Merrill described the moment vividly: “He pulled out this brown bottle, splashed some liquid on a rag, and jammed it into my face. I passed out, and when I regained consciousness, I found myself in handcuffs.”

Realizing he had fallen into a trap, Merrill felt fear wash over him as he was taken back to Gacy’s residence. “I knew I couldn’t anger him,” he recalled. As the scene unfolded in Gacy’s dark house, Merrill was subjected to horrific restraints designed to keep him submissive, stating, “He put this homemade contraption around my neck. If I struggled, I would choke.”

In a harrowing account, Merrill disclosed the sexual assault he endured at Gacy’s hands while fearing for his life. “I knew if I fought him, I didn’t have much of a chance. I never freaked out or yelled.” After what seemed like an eternity, Gacy released him, dropping him off near his home at around 5 a.m. “He gave me his phone number and said, ‘Maybe we’ll get together again sometime.’ I flushed the number down the toilet when I got home,” he said.

Surprisingly, Merrill did not report the incident to authorities at the time and only later realized the true identity of his assailant upon seeing news of Gacy’s nefarious activities. Reflecting on his ordeal, Merrill has found ways to cope over the years. “Acting was therapeutic for me. You’re forced to express yourself, and there is some honesty that goes with that,” he explained. He credits his relationship with his husband as another source of strength.

Additionally, Merrill has transformed his pain into art with a one-man show titled The Save, which is currently running in Los Angeles. “I’m proud of the journey. I was able to learn from the bad and use it for the good,” he noted.

Gacy is known for abducting, assaulting, and murdering at least 33 young men between 1972 and 1978. He was captured and subsequently convicted in 1980. His life ended in execution in 1994.

For those affected by similar experiences, resources are available, including the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE.