The term "killer clowns" often brings to mind fictional depictions found in movies, television, and literature, most notably Stephen King's novel "It." However, there have been real-life criminals who have adopted clown personas or have been associated with clowns in some way. Here are a few notable cases:
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John Wayne Gacy: Perhaps the most infamous real-life "killer clown," Gacy was an American serial killer and sex offender who was active in the 1970s. He often performed at children's parties and charitable events dressed as "Pogo the Clown." He was convicted of the murders of 33 young men and boys.
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Killer clown sightings: In 2016, there was a wave of reports involving individuals dressed as clowns in various places, causing fear and panic in communities across the United States. These incidents typically involved people dressed as clowns lurking in public areas or attempting to scare others but did not necessarily involve actual killings.
These examples illustrate the intersection of real-life crimes with the popular and often terrifying cultural imagery of clowns. However, the concept of "killer clowns" is predominantly rooted in fiction and urban legends.