Law & Order Actor Jack Merrill Survives Abduction and Rape by Serial Killer John Wayne Gacy

Actor Jack Merrill, known for his roles in TV series such as ‘Law & Order‘ and ‘Grey's Anatomy,’ has courageously shared his harrowing experience of being abducted and sexually assaulted by the infamous serial killer John Wayne Gacy in 1978. Merrill, then 19 years old, was walking home after a swim at the local YMCA in Chicago when Gacy, who was 36 at the time, offered him a ride. Unbeknownst to Merrill, this encounter would lead him into the clutches of one of America’s most notorious serial killers.

Merrill recounted that Gacy quickly drove into a dangerous neighborhood and instructed him to lock the car door, warning him of the area’s safety. Gacy then used a brown bottle of alkyl nitrite to render Merrill unconscious. When Merrill regained consciousness, he found himself in handcuffs at Gacy’s residence near Chicago O'Hare International Airport. Gacy removed the handcuffs after Merrill affirmed his trust, but later re-handcuffed him and subjected him to a homemade contraption designed to choke him if he struggled. Merrill was threatened with a gun and raped in the bedroom.

Merrill described his ordeal in detail, including his strategy to de-escalate the situation by pretending everything was fine, a coping mechanism he had developed from his tumultuous childhood. He expressed a strange sympathy for Gacy, feeling that Gacy might not have wanted to commit such acts but felt compelled to do so. After several hours, Merrill sensed that Gacy was growing weary and was eventually dropped off near where he was initially picked up. Gacy even offered Merrill his phone number, suggesting they might meet again. Merrill disposed of the number and did not report the incident to the authorities at the time.

It wasn’t until Merrill saw a Chicago Sun-Times headline about Gacy’s crimes that he realized who his attacker was. Gacy was later convicted and executed in 1994 for the murders of at least 33 young men and boys. Merrill’s experience has had a lasting impact on his life, but he has found solace in acting, which he describes as therapeutic. He has written a one-man show called “The Save,” which details his horrific night with Gacy.

Merrill’s story highlights the broader issue of trauma and the societal fascination with notorious figures like Gacy. Despite the trauma he endured, Merrill has come to understand that “no one’s trauma is greater than anyone else’s” and has forgiven both Gacy and his parents. His journey serves as a testament to resilience and the importance of sharing personal stories to heal and raise awareness).