Editing John Wayne Gacy (section)

====Murder of Robert Piest====
[[File:Robert Jerome Piest (1963-1978) as a high school freshman.png|upright|right|thumb|Robert Piest]]
On the afternoon of December 11, 1978, Gacy visited the Nisson Pharmacy in Des Plaines, to discuss a potential remodeling deal with the store owner, Phil Torf.{{sfn|Amirante|2011|p=99}} While he was within earshot of 15-year-old part-time employee Robert Piest, Gacy mentioned his firm often hired teenage boys at a starting wage of $5 per hour—almost double the pay Piest earned at the pharmacy.{{sfn|Sullivan|2000|pp=4–7}}

Shortly after Gacy left, Piest's mother arrived at the store to drive her son home so the family could celebrate her birthday together.{{sfn|Cahill|1986|pp=205–233}} Piest asked his mother to wait, adding that "some contractor wants to talk to me about a job". He left the store at 9:00&nbsp;p.m., promising to return shortly.{{sfn|Sullivan|2000|pp=6–7}}

Piest was murdered shortly after 10:00&nbsp;p.m. at Gacy's home.{{sfn|Sullivan|2000|pp=4–7}} Gacy later stated that at his house, he gave Piest a soft drink before asking whether there was anything he "wouldn't do for the right price", to which Piest replied that he did not mind working hard. In response, Gacy stated "good money" could be earned by hustling, although Piest was dismissive. Gacy then duped Piest into donning handcuffs.{{sfn|Cahill|1986|p=230}} Gacy's subsequent statements regarding the events varied,<ref name="Vegas"/>{{sfn|Sullivan|2000|p=176}} although in one of his initial statements, he claimed Piest failed to resist as he removed the boy's trousers. He also stated that as he placed the rope around Piest's neck, the boy was "crying, scared".{{sfn|Amirante|2011|pp=140–142}} Gacy admitted to having received a phone call from a business acquaintance as Piest lay dying.{{sfn|Cahill|1986|pp=205–233}}