Creepy ‘killer clown’ artwork discovered in Britain could fetch thousands at auction

John Wayne Gacy was on death row in the ’90s when he drew several sinister oil paintings depicting a terrifying skull-faced clown, Jesus Christ and the seven dwarfs

A series of spooky, fairytale-like artworks painted by a ‘killer clown’ have been discovered in a UK home and could fetch thousands at auction.

John Wayne Gacy, the deadly American serial killer, was on death row in the ’90s when he drew several sinister oil paintings, including a terrifying skull-faced clown, Jesus Christ and The Seven Dwarfs.

Remarkably, the paintings were discovered in a dusty old cupboard at a West Midlands estate after the owners died – leaving the son stunned to discover the creepy paintings. LeicestershireLive reported.

The pieces signed by Gacy offer a chilling glimpse into the twisted mind of one of America’s deadliest serial killers.

Gacy, the inspiration for Stephen King’s horror hit It, sexually assaulted, tortured, and murdered at least 33 boys and young men in Chicago between 1972 and 1978.

His twisted crimes are currently the subject of a Netflix series, Conversations with a Killer: The John Wayne Gacy Tapes.

It has been described by some viewers as one of the most disturbing documentaries ever made, while others said watching the show left them “human weary”.

Gacy was sentenced to death and lethal injection in May 1994 after confessing to 33 murders.

He worked as an entertainer at children’s birthday parties while dressed as “Pogo The Clown”, leading to his being dubbed the “killer clown”.

He often promised victims alcohol and drugs to gain their trust – but he tied their hands together before killing them at his home on West Summerdale Avenue.

A total of 29 bodies were discovered by police buried beneath his property, while other bodies were dumped in the Des Plaines River when he ran out of space.

Gacy began painting behind bars while awaiting execution, and in 1994 his lawyer auctioned off his artwork.

Part of it was bought and destroyed in a bonfire attended by hundreds of people, including some family members of Gacy’s victims.

Other paintings have sparked controversy by being exhibited in galleries across America, but are said to be rare to find in Britain.

The eerie work of art is now being sold by Mullock’s Auctioneers in Shropshire, where it is expected to fetch up to £4,950 in an online auction on Thursday.

Ben Jones, Consultant at Mullock’s Auctioneers, said: ‘These particular paintings are all from the same house.

“They were bought by the seller’s parents many years ago and just left in the house for decades.

“When the parents died, they were found in the closet with no further details or documentation as to where or when they were purchased.

“The seller had no idea the parents had them, so he was a little surprised when he found them.

“He thought they could have been bought when his parents were touring the US. Gacy’s artwork is widespread in America, but it’s rare to find his paintings here.

“I’ve seen a Snow White theme called ‘Hi Ho’ before, but this winter scene is something we’ve never encountered before and could be quite unique.

“They’re quite intriguing, but of course incredibly sinister, knowing what this man did.

“We wish we knew a little more about their origins, but it’s a bit of a mystery how these paintings got here and ended up in a closet for so long.

“We have had paintings of serial killers made in the past that have sold, there is a following for such items and they can often be desired.

“In many cases, it’s a different form of investment because these items can appreciate in value over time.”