Some people, myself included, love all things murder mystery. I know lots of fans of 'murder' podcasts like Crime Junkie. If that's you, and you're into a little morbid Waterloo, Iowa history, then you should definitely checkout the new Peacock streaming series John Wayne Gacy: Devil in Disguise. It's long, in depth, disturbing, and hits very close to home.

Yes, it's on Peacock which you may not have, but I strongly suggest you at least pop in for the free trial to watch it. I've researched the Gacy story, but this docuseries blew what I'd learned out of the water. I mean, they have actual interview footage with Gacy that's previously not been shown in detail or shared with the public.

Waterloo Police Department (1968)
Waterloo Police Department (1968)
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I won't sit here and hit you with spoilers, but a couple quick Waterloo and/or Gacy in Iowa related nuggets from the series that are expanded on in great detail:

  • Gacey's family (his sister is interviewed) said he was 'normal' before he moved to Waterloo.
  • He managed several area Kentucky Fried Chicken franchises owned by his father-in-law.
  • He felt his Waterloo arrest (not for murder) was a political hit piece.
  • He was very active in the community (especially with the Jaycees), but not usually in a good way...
  • He ended-up at the prison in Anamosa - he was there from 1968-1970 and should have been there much, much longer.
  • He helped the prison get a mini golf course.
  • 'Iowa Nice' may have led directly to many, many murders.

The series is rated 'TV-14' and while it's not overly graphic in showing dead bodies/gore, it's highly disturbing in terms of both content and the detail with which it's described. Much of it from Gacy himself. Also, since most of his sick, heinous acts were perpetuated against minors, it's a good idea to not watch this one with the kids.

Companies Based in Iowa

These companies all have one thing in common: They're based in the Hawkeye state.

READ ON: See the States Where People Live the Longest

Stacker used data from the 2020 County Health Rankings to rank every state's average life expectancy from lowest to highest. The 2020 County Health Rankings values were calculated using mortality counts from the 2016-2018 National Center for Health Statistics. The U.S. Census 2019 American Community Survey and America's Health Rankings Senior Report 2019 data were also used to provide demographics on the senior population of each state and the state's rank on senior health care, respectively.

Read on to learn the average life expectancy in each state.

What Non-Iowans Think of Iowa

Iowa is the capital of the Midwest! Ok, that's unofficial, but it's my stance. Here's what NON Iowans think of us.

 

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