True crime fans only just realising a 'harrowing' new doc is streaming free

A disturbing true crime documentary examining shocking offences has viewers finding it difficult to continue watching - and it's available to stream at no cost.

ITVX has discreetly launched a six-part documentary series on its platform, investigating the factual account behind "Devil in Disguise".

John Wayne Gacy: The True Story features "distressing scenes" as it examines the actual life of infamous American serial killer John Wayne Gacy.

Known as the Killer Clown, Gacy murdered young men and teenage boys throughout the 1970s. Evading detection between 1972 and 1978, he preyed upon young males, sexually assaulting numerous victims before taking their lives and concealing their bodies in a mass burial site beneath his residence.

Currently available on ITVX, John Wayne Gacy The True Story investigates his offences following a teenage boy's vanishing, which led detectives to his property, reports the Mirror.

ITV's description reads: "This chilling documentary reveals the true story behind 'Devil in Disguise,' exposing the shocking police failures that surrounded the crimes of John Wayne Gacy."

The opening episode takes audiences back to 1992, featuring Gacy in an uncommon on-camera interview. With first-hand testimonies, the unsettling programme is ideal for true crime enthusiasts.

A TikTok user described it as essential viewing, writing: "I nearly missed this one."

In the clip, the true crime enthusiast revealed: "To be honest with you I've scrolled past this about 4 times because I thought thought it looks the same as the Devil in Disguise series and I've only just realised it's actually a documentary."

One viewer remarked: "Been on a while but it's very bad crime wise. I found it hard to finish tbh."

A second person posted: "Watched it absolutely fantastic. Harrowing what happened." Another added: "Absolutely brilliant series."

The programme was described as "harrowing" by one Facebook user who noted: "I watched both the documentary and drama versions both really interesting, still so many unanswered questions especially in the documentary."

Another commented: "Definitely worth watching!" whilst a third responded: "Oh I've binged watched this on itvx."

The documentary accompanies the crime drama 'Devil in Disguise', which also launched on ITV and ITVX this year. Originally broadcast in America, the dramatised series draws from actual events.

The synopsis explained: "Devil In Disguise: John Wayne Gacy peels back the twisted layers of Gacy's life while weaving in heartrending stories of his victims; exploring the grief, guilt, and trauma of their families and friends; and exposing the systemic failures, missed opportunities, and societal prejudices that fueled his reign of terror."

John Wayne Gacy: The True Story and Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy are both available to stream on ITVX.