Most people know the name John Wayne Gacy, the man behind one of the most shocking crime stories in American history. But not many people know about Marlynn Myers, the woman who once called him her husband. Before he became known as the “Killer Clown,” Gacy was just a man trying to build a future with a young woman named Marlynn.
Their story started like any other love story – young, hopeful, and full of dreams. But everything changed when Gacy’s dark secret life came to light. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Marlynn Myers — who she was, how she met Gacy, their life together, and how she escaped from a terrible past.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Marlynn Myers |
|---|---|
| Born | Circa 1944, Missouri, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Famous For | First wife of serial killer John Wayne Gacy |
| Marriage | Married Gacy in 1964, divorced in 1969 |
| Children | Two – Michael (b. 1966), Christine (b. 1967) |
| Parents | Fred W. Myers and Wilma Louise Hudson Myers |
| Siblings | Sister: Ida M. Clark |
| Later Life | Remarried, changed name, lives privately |
| Current Status | Believed to be alive, lives away from the public |
| Net Worth | Unknown |
Marlynn Myers’s Early Life and Background
Marlynn Myers was born around 1944 in Missouri, USA. She came from a close-knit family. Her father, Fred W. Myers, was a hardworking businessman who owned Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) restaurants in Iowa. Her mother, Wilma Louise Hudson Myers, was a kind woman who took care of the home and also worked at Fisher Price.
Not much is known about Marlynn’s early life, but it’s clear she grew up with strong family values. She had at least one sister, named Ida, but there isn’t a lot of public information about her.
Marlynn wasn’t famous or in the spotlight. She was a regular young woman trying to build a happy life. But that would change quickly when she met someone who seemed charming but turned out to be one of the most dangerous men in America.
How Marlynn Myers Met John Wayne Gacy?
In 1964, Marlynn got a job at a shoe store called Nunn-Bush in Springfield, Illinois. This is where she met John Wayne Gacy. He worked there too, and at first, he seemed friendly, smart, and full of energy. He wanted to be successful, and he made people feel like he had big dreams.
Marlynn was drawn to him. They fell in love fast. According to The New Yorker, it took only about nine months for them to get married. Everything seemed perfect at first.
They tied the knot in September 1964, and soon after, they packed their bags and moved to Waterloo, Iowa, where Marlynn’s father had something big planned for Gacy.
Her Starting Married Life in Iowa
In Waterloo, things looked good for the couple. Marlynn’s dad helped Gacy start a new job. He gave him a big opportunity — to manage three KFC restaurants that the family owned.
Marlynn and Gacy lived in a house that her parents had passed down to them. They seemed like a normal, happy couple. Gacy was working, and Marlynn was getting ready to start a family.
People in the town saw them as a regular couple. They went to events, spent time with neighbors, and even got involved in community groups. No one had any idea what was really going on.
Marlynn Myers and John Wayne Gacy’s Children
Marlynn and Gacy welcomed their first child, a son named Michael, in February 1966. A little more than a year later, in March 1967, they had a daughter named Christine.
Marlynn focused on raising her children and supporting her husband. She wanted a stable home — something safe and full of love. Like any mom, she wanted the best for her kids.
At this point, it looked like life was working out. They had a home, a job, and two beautiful kids. But behind closed doors, Gacy was hiding a secret that would destroy everything.
The Day Everything Changed
In 1968, Marlynn’s world fell apart. Gacy was arrested for sexually assaulting two teenage boys. According to reports, he admitted what he had done, and the court sentenced him to 10 years in prison.
This came as a complete shock to Marlynn. She had no idea what her husband was doing behind her back. One day, she thought she was married to a hardworking man. Next, he was a criminal going to prison.
This wasn’t just a mistake. It was something serious—something dangerous. Marlynn knew she had to act fast to protect her children and her future.
Filing for Divorce and Taking Custody
Right after Gacy’s conviction, Marlynn filed for divorce. She used the reason “cruel and inhuman treatment,” which made it clear how serious the situation was.
By 1969, the divorce was final. The court gave Marlynn full custody of their two kids, and Gacy never saw them again. He was no longer a husband or a father — just a man behind bars.
This was a brave move for Marlynn. She had two small children, no husband, and a terrible scandal to deal with. But she chose to stand up and move on, even when the road ahead was hard.
Marlynn Myers’s Life as a Single Mother
After the divorce, Marlynn stayed in Iowa and began raising Michael and Christine on her own. She kept them away from their father’s name and tried to give them a normal life.
She didn’t talk to the media. She didn’t try to explain herself. Instead, she focused on being a mom and protecting her children from the pain of their father’s crimes.
She changed her name and disappeared from the public eye. According to The New York Times, she later said in 1979:
“I never had any fear of him. It’s hard for me to relate to these killings.”
Did Marlynn Myers Ever Remarry?
Yes, after her divorce from John Wayne Gacy, Marlynn Myers remarried. But she chose to keep this part of her life very private. Her second husband’s name has never been made public. She didn’t share anything about her new life — not with the press, not with the public.
Why did she stay so quiet? Most likely, she wanted to protect herself and her children. After being married to someone like Gacy, it makes sense that she would want to move on and never look back.
Marlynn also likely changed her last name again to avoid people making the connection. She worked hard to stay out of the spotlight — and it worked.
Where Is Marlynn Myers Now?
Today in 2025, no one really knows where Marlynn Myers is. She has stayed completely out of public view for decades. She never gave big interviews, never showed up in documentaries, and never tried to explain her past.
According to a New York Times article from 1979, Marlynn was shocked when she learned about the full extent of Gacy’s crimes. She said, “I just couldn’t believe it.” She remembered him as someone who never showed signs of violence in their home.
Since then, she has lived a very quiet life, somewhere far from cameras and headlines. And most people agree — after everything she went through, she deserves peace.
What Happened to Marlynn Myers’ Children?
Marlynn had two children with John Wayne Gacy — a son, Michael, born in 1966, and a daughter, Christine, born in 1967. After the divorce, she raised both kids by herself. Gacy never saw them again.
Just like their mother, Michael and Christine have stayed completely away from the media. They’ve never spoken about their father or their childhood. Their names haven’t been in the news, and no photos or interviews have ever surfaced.
This shows how strongly Marlynn protected them. She wanted her children to grow up far away from their father’s dark shadow. And thanks to her, they were able to live private lives, away from the horror that once surrounded their family.
Gacy’s Crimes That Shocked the World
John Wayne Gacy wasn’t just any criminal. He became known as one of the worst serial killers in American history. Between 1972 and 1978, he killed 33 young men and boys, according to Britannica.
He buried many of his victims in the crawl space under his own house. He lured them in by pretending to be friendly, sometimes even dressing up as a clown for parties and events. That’s why people started calling him the “Killer Clown.”
In 1978, when his last victim went missing, police began to search his house. What they found shocked the nation. Gacy was arrested, put on trial, and later executed in 1994. But long before these murders were uncovered, Marlynn had already left him. She divorced him almost 10 years before the full truth came out.
Even though she wasn’t part of Gacy’s crimes, Marlynn Myers’ life was forever changed by being married to him. She went from being a young bride and mother to someone trying to escape a terrible past. But Marlynn didn’t fall apart. She stood strong. She took care of her kids. She stayed away from the media. And she started a new life, quietly and bravely.
Marlynn’s story reminds us of the people left behind in a world that often focuses on the criminal. The ones who have to rebuild after their world is torn apart.
Final Thoughts
The untold story of Marlynn Myers is not about crime — it’s about courage. She was once married to a man who would go on to become one of the most feared names in America. But she left before his darkest crimes came to light.
She protected her kids, never chased fame or money from the story, and never let her past define her future.
That’s why, even though she stayed silent for all these years, her story still matters. It reminds us that strength can be quiet, and that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is walk away.
(FAQs)
Did Marlynn Myers really marry a serial killer?
Yes. She was married to John Wayne Gacy before anyone knew he would become one of the deadliest killers in U.S. history.
Did she know about Gacy’s crimes while they were married?
No. She divorced him 10 years before his murders were discovered and said she had no idea what he was capable of.
What happened to Marlynn Myers after the divorce?
She completely disappeared from public life, changed her name, and raised her kids away from the media.
Did Gacy ever see his children again?
No. After the divorce in 1969, Gacy never saw or had contact with his two children again.
Is Marlynn Myers still alive today?
As of 2025, she is believed to still be alive, but her location and new identity remain unknown — she’s lived in total privacy for decades.
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