John Wayne Gacy’s Last Meal . On May 10, 1994, the notorious serial killer John Wayne Gacy was executed by lethal injection at Stateville Correctional Center in Illinois. Known as the “Killer Clown” for his performances at children’s parties as “Pogo the Clown,” Gacy was convicted of murdering 33 young men and boys during the 1970s. As shocking as his crimes were, it was his final meal request that left many both fascinated and disturbed.
Before his execution, Gacy took full advantage of his right to a last meal. He requested a surprisingly large and indulgent spread: a bucket of KFC fried chicken, 12 fried shrimp, a pound of strawberries, French fries, and a Diet Coke. The inclusion of a Diet Coke — despite the high-calorie feast — sparked public curiosity and morbid irony. Some joked it was Gacy’s last attempt at “healthy living,” even if symbolically.
There was some symbolism in the meal. Gacy had once managed three KFC restaurants in Waterloo, Iowa, during the 1960s, a period that outwardly portrayed him as a model citizen and family man. His choice of fried chicken may have been a nostalgic nod to the double life he once led—one of community involvement by day, and darkness by night.
Though the meal itself was ordinary by American standards, the person requesting it was anything but. Gacy’s execution brought some closure to the families of his victims, but the horrors of his crimes left a permanent scar on the American psyche.
The tradition of granting last meal requests continues to capture public attention. In Gacy’s case, it became another eerie footnote to a life defined by deception, violence, and a chillingly calm demeanor. His last act—a feast of familiar comfort foods—was a stark contrast to the terror he left behind.
In the end, even the most monstrous figures in history crave human indulgence. But no meal could erase the legacy of fear left by John Wayne Gacy, the Killer Clown. John Wayne Gacy’s Last Meal
