Marlynn Myers is renowned as the first wife of the notorious serial killer John Wayne Gacy, better known as the “Killer Clown,” who had killed more than 33 young men and boys during the 1970s. Although Gacy’s brutal murders shocked the whole world, Marlynn’s life is one of the stories of survival as she was able to run away from the murderer and save her two children from the murderous legacy.
Here we have a biography of Marlynn Myers that includes all the details about her life: childhood, marriage, divorce, kids, and present status.
Marlynn Myers is?
Marlynn Lee Myers was born in January 1944 in Missouri. She spent her childhood years in the typical Midwest before moving. By the early 1960s, she had settled down in Springfield, Illinois. According to friends and colleagues, Marlynn Myers was a kindhearted, diligent, and family-minded woman who was leading an ordinary life until she met the person who changed her destiny.
Quick Facts About Marlynn Myers
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Marlynn Myers (now Marlynn Allen) |
| Birth Year | Approximately 1942–1944 (late 70s–80s as of 2022) |
| Birth Place | Springfield, Illinois, USA |
| Father | Owned three Kentucky Fried Chicken franchises |
| Marriage to Gacy | September 1964 |
| Divorce Finalized | September 18, 1969 |
| Children | Michael Gacy (born 1966), Christine Gacy (born 1967) |
| Current Location | Cedar Falls, Iowa, USA |
| Current Name | Marlynn Allen |
| Status | Still alive as of 2024 |
Early Life and Background
Marlynn Myers hailed from Springfield, Illinois, where her father ran three Kentucky Fried Chicken franchises. Very little is known about her background, names of her parents, or her exact date of birth, considering that she kept herself to herself throughout her life.
However, it is evident that Marlynn was a girl in her early 20s when she met her future abuser at their workplace; both Marlynn and John Wayne Gacy worked for Nunn-Bush Shoe Company in Springfield, Illinois.
Marriage to John Wayne Gacy (1964–1968)
How They Met
John Wayne Gacy and Marlynn Myers first crossed paths in the year 1964 when John Wayne Gacy was only 22 years old. John Wayne Gacy and Marlynn Myers worked for Nunn-Bush Shoe Company, and from reports, Marlynn experienced “love at first sight” when she first saw John Wayne Gacy.
Wedding and Relocation
The couple married in September 1964 after only nine months of dating. Shortly after their wedding, they relocated to Waterloo, Iowa, where Marlynn’s father appointed Gacy as a manager at one of his KFC franchises.
Their Children
Marlynn and Gacy welcomed two children together:
| Child | Birth Date |
| Michael Gacy (son) | February 1966 |
| Christine Gacy (daughter) | March 1967 |
During this time, Gacy appeared to be a normal family man—running a successful remodeling business, living in Chicago suburbs, and serving as director for the annual Polish Constitution Day Parade.
The Dark Secret: Gacy’s First Crimes
Gacy’s Sexual Assault Conviction (1968)
Just one year after Christine’s birth, Gacy’s double life began to surface. In 1968, he was accused of sexually assaulting two high school boys in Iowa.
In December 1968, Gacy was sentenced to 10 years in prison for sodomy. This was the first major public revelation of Gacy’s predatory behavior—though it was仅仅 the beginning of his horrific crimes.
Marlynn’s Decision to Leave
On the same day Gacy was sentenced in December 1968, Marlynn Myers filed for divorce. She requested:
- Sole custody of Michael and Christine
- The house and property
- Division of assets
Her request was granted entirely.
The divorce was finalized on September 18, 1969. Marlynn moved far away with her two children, cutting all contact with Gacy.
Why Marlynn’s Escape Saved Her Life
Marlynn Myers’ decision to leave Gacy in 1968–1969 proved to be the most crucial survival choice of her life. Here’s why:
Timeline of Gacy’s Murder Spree
| Year | Event |
| 1968 | Gacy convicted of sexual assault; Marlynn files for divorce |
| 1969 | Divorce finalized; Marlynn moves away with children |
| 1972 | Gacy remarries Carole Hoff |
| 1976 | Gacy’s second divorce finalized |
| 1978 | Gacy begins gruesome murder spree; stores bodies in crawl space |
| 1980 | Gacy convicted of killing 33 young men |
| 1994 | Gacy dies in prison |
Marlynn Myers’ Children: Michael and Christine Gacy
What Happened to Gacy’s Children?
Both Michael and Christine Gacy were still young when their father was imprisoned in 1968 (Michael was ~2 years old, Christine was ~1 year old).
Since Gacy’s imprisonment and eventual death:
| Fact | Details |
| Public Profile | Both have lived entirely out of the spotlight |
| Public Statements | Never spoken publicly about their father |
| Name Changes | Christine is believed to have changed her name to escape his legacy |
| Family Contact | Have rebuffed attempts by Gacy’s sister Karen to connect |
| Current Whereabouts | Currently unknown due to scarce information |
What Happened to Marlynn Myers Today?
She Is Still Alive
Despite an obituary discrepancy claiming a “Marlynn Lee Myers” died in 2013, Marlynn Myers (Gacy’s first wife) is confirmed to be still alive.
Current Identity and Location
According to a 2024 Reddit discovery in the John Wayne Gacy community:
| Detail | Information |
| Current Name | Marlynn Allen |
| Current Location | Cedar Falls, Iowa, USA |
| Status | Still very much alive as of March 2024 |
Marlynn eventually remarried after her divorce from Gacy. In an interview with The New York Times, she stated she ** hadn’t seen Gacy for over nine years** at the time of the interview (likely around 1977–1978).
Her Life After Gacy
- Remarried and built a new life
- Raised Michael and Christine away from Gacy’s influence
- Maintained extreme privacy for decades
- Lives quietly in Cedar Falls, Iowa with her new family
Not much is known about Myers today except that she successfully escaped Gacy’s world and protected her children.
Marlynn Myers in Media and Documentaries
Netflix’s “Conversations With A Killer: The John Wayne Gacy Tapes”
Marlynn Myers and her family are featured in Netflix’s true crime documentary series, which examines Gacy’s killing spree and assault of at least 33 young men and boys.
Other Media Appearances
| Media | Type |
| Peacock’s “Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy” | TV show about Gacy |
| People.com articles | Multiple features on Gacy’s wives |
| Yahoo Entertainment | “Where Are John Wayne Gacy’s Children Now?” |
| IMDB | Listed as person in Gacy-related productions |
Key Takeaways: Marlynn Myers’ Legacy
- Survivor: Marlynn Myers escaped a serial killer before his murder spree began
- Protector: She saved her two children from Gacy’s deadly legacy
- Private: She has maintained extreme privacy for over 50 years
- Alive: Still living as Marlynn Allen in Cedar Falls, Iowa
- Never Reconciled: Gacy never saw her or the children again after 1969
Conclusion
Marlynn Myers is one of the most outstanding survival cases linked to the brutal activities carried out by John Wayne Gacy. In contrast to his second wife, Carol Hoff, who stayed with him throughout the course of his killing sprees, Marlynn left before anything happened and spared her kids the horror of meeting the monster their father had turned into.
In the meantime, having changed her name to Marlynn Allen and settled down in Cedar Falls, Iowa, she has managed to Build a new life without the association with the name of John Wayne Gacy and raised Michael and Christine privately.
As for the people who are interested in the details of this infamous case, including true crime fans, Marlynn Myers’ biography will help provide a better understanding of the killer’s background.
FAQ: Marlynn Myers Questions Answered
Is Marlynn Myers still alive?
Yes. Marlynn Myers (now Marlynn Allen) is confirmed alive and living in Cedar Falls, Iowa as of 2024.
What is Marlynn Myers’ current name?
Her current name is Marlynn Allen after remarrying.
How many children did Marlynn Myers have with Gacy?
Two children: Michael Gacy (born 1966) and Christine Gacy (born 1967).
When did Marlynn Myers divorce John Wayne Gacy?
She filed for divorce in December 1968 (same day Gacy was sentenced), and the divorce was finalized on September 18, 1969.
Where does Marlynn Myers live today?
She lives in Cedar Falls, Iowa, USA.
Did Marlynn Myers ever speak publicly about Gacy?
No. She has maintained complete privacy and never spoke publicly about her ex-husband’s crimes.
Why did Marlynn Myers leave Gacy?
She left after Gacy was convicted of sexually assaulting teenage boys in 1968.