True Crime Trivia: Round One Challenge

John Wayne Gacy was known as The Clown Killer because he would dress up as a clown named "Pogo" for children's parties and events. However, behind this facade, Gacy was a serial killer who sexually assaulted and murdered at least 33 teenage boys and young men between 1972 and 1978. He buried many of his victims in the crawl space of his home, earning him the nickname "Killer Clown" or "The Clown Killer." Gacy's heinous crimes shocked the nation and he was eventually convicted and executed for his crimes.

Ted Bundy is the correct answer because he was known to have worked at a suicide prevention hotline. Bundy, a notorious serial killer, volunteered at the Seattle Crisis Center in the early 1970s, where he would talk to individuals in distress and potentially prevent them from taking their own lives. This information adds another disturbing layer to Bundy's complex and sinister personality.

H.H. Holmes built a house in Chicago that became infamously known as the "Murder Castle". This nickname was given to the house because Holmes used it as a facade for his gruesome crimes. The house was designed with secret rooms, trapdoors, and a labyrinthine layout, allowing Holmes to easily trap and kill his victims. The nickname "Murder Castle" accurately captures the sinister nature of the house and the horrific acts that took place within its walls.

The correct answer is Floppy Disk. BTK, which stands for Bind, Torture, Kill, was a serial killer who was active from the 1970s to the 2000s. In 2004, he resurfaced and sent a floppy disk to the local media. This floppy disk contained metadata that linked it to a computer at the church where BTK was a leader. The information on the disk ultimately led to the arrest and conviction of Dennis Rader, the man behind the BTK killings. Floppy disks were a common storage device during the time when BTK was active, making it the correct answer.

The MacDonald Triad refers to three behaviors that are often associated with violent and antisocial tendencies in individuals. These behaviors are bed-wetting, arson (deliberate fire-setting), and cruelty to animals. Research suggests that individuals who exhibit these behaviors during childhood may be more likely to engage in violent behavior later in life. This triad is named after psychiatrist John M. MacDonald, who first proposed the concept in the 1960s.

John Dillinger used a wooden gun to escape from jail. A wooden gun would have allowed him to create the illusion of having a real weapon, potentially intimidating the guards or other inmates. This would have provided him with the opportunity to overpower them or create a distraction, enabling his escape. The use of a wooden gun would have also made it easier for Dillinger to conceal the weapon and avoid detection during his escape attempt.

Rodney Alcala is the correct answer because he appeared on "The Dating Game" in 1978. Alcala was a convicted serial killer and rapist who appeared on the popular dating show as a contestant. Despite his criminal background, he was chosen by the bachelorette and went on a date with her. This shocking revelation came to light after Alcala was arrested and convicted for multiple murders in the years following his appearance on the show.

In the JonBenet Ramsey case, pineapple is widely discussed because a bowl of pineapple was found on the kitchen counter with a spoon next to it. The pineapple was partially eaten, indicating that someone in the house had consumed it. This piece of evidence became important in the investigation as it suggested that someone had been awake and eating pineapple with JonBenet shortly before her death.

The term "serial killer" was coined in the 1970s. This term was used to describe individuals who commit a series of murders over a period of time, typically with a cooling-off period between each murder. The 1970s saw a rise in media coverage and public awareness of serial killers, with infamous cases such as Ted Bundy and the Zodiac Killer gaining widespread attention. The term "serial killer" became more widely known and used during this decade to describe this specific type of criminal behavior.

The Owl Theory suggests that Kathleen Peterson's death was caused by an attack from an owl. Supporters of this theory argue that the wounds on her scalp were consistent with owl talon marks, and that an owl attack could have caused her to fall down the stairs. This theory has been met with controversy and skepticism, as it is considered highly unlikely for an owl to attack a human in such a manner. However, it remains a topic of debate in the case.