Pathologists Tells Gacy Jury About Bodies Found in River

by Jane Fritsch

The bodies of two young men believed murdered by John Gacy, then thrown in the Des Plaines River, were so severely decomposed that no cause of death could be determined, according to pathologists who testified Tuesday at Gacy’s trial. A third youth, Frank Landingin, whose body also was found in the river, died of asphyxia after a pair of bikini briefs were stuffed in his throat, according to Dr. Edward Shalgos. Shalgos said there was evidence that Landingin had sexual relations shortly before he died. Shalgos also performed an autopsy on the body of James Mazzara, which was found in the Des Plaines River December 29, 1978.

He said he could not determine the cause of death, but that strangulation was a “theoretical possibility.” Another pathologist, Dr. Milnesh Ahluwalia, testified Tuesday that he could not determine the cause of death of Timothy O’Rourke, whose body was found June 30, 1978, also in the Des Plaines River. The testimony Tuesday ended two days of evidence regarding the cause of death of the 33 young men and boys Gacy is charged with murdering. Dr. Robert Stein, Cook County medical examiner, had testified that 6 victims died of strangulation and 13 died of asphyxia. He said one had died of multiple stab wounds. He said he could not determine a cause of death on the remaining 10 of the 30 bodies he examined.

Stein said it was possible that some of the victims were choked to unconsciousness, appearing dead to a layman. He said some of the victims could have died of asphyxia after they were choked. Pieces of cloth were found in the throats of 13 of the victims he examined, Stein said. Prosecutors have said that Gacy strangled all but one of his 33 victims. Prosecutors say Gacy stuffed cloths in some of their mouths “to keep blood from draining out.” The prosecution is expected to rest its case Wednesday the 13th day of Gacy’s trial. Defense attorneys are expected to begin their insanity defense on Thursday. After they finish, prosecutors will present their rebuttal to the insanity defense.