Serial killer Ed Gein’s story is about to be told in season 3 of Netflix’s anthology series Monster: The Ed Gein Story. Before the season premieres on Friday, October 3, Life & Style is breaking down everything you need to know about Gein’s crimes.
Who Was Ed Gein?
Known as the “Plainfield Ghoul,” Gein was a serial killer based in Wisconsin during the 1950s. He was found guilty of killing two women, though he was also suspected of killing a handful of other women in unsolved cases.
What Crimes Did Ed Gein Commit?
Gein’s crimes were discovered when police found the headless, gutted body of Bernice Worden, a missing store clerk, at his farmhouse in November 1957, according to History.com. An investigation was soon launched into his crimes, and authorities discovered a collection of human skulls, furniture and clothing that were made from human body parts and skin in his home. Ten women’s remains were ultimately found in his home.
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After he was linked to several murders, Gein was declared mentally unfit to stand trial and he was sent to a state hospital in Wisconsin. Gein was later diagnosed with schizophrenia and he was deemed sane enough to stand trial in 1968, though a judge ultimately found him guilty by reason of insanity, per History.com.
In addition to his guilty by reason of insanity verdict, Gein confessed to the murders of local woman Mary Hogan and Worden in 1954 and 1957, according to the Northeastern Global News. Additionally, he confessed to robbing local graveyards and exhuming the corpses of women who resembled his mother.
Gein went on to spend the rest of his life in psychiatric hospitals.
How Did Ed Gein Die?
The serial killer died of respiratory failure amid his battle with lung cancer on July 26, 1984, according to the Northeastern Global News. He was 77 years old when he died.
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People grew fascinated with Gein’s crimes, and he is believed to have inspired many horror films including The Silence of the Lambs, Psycho, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and more.
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Additionally, his story will be depicted in the upcoming season of Netflix’s Monster, which is set to premiere on the streaming service on Friday, October 3.
While speaking to Variety in an interview published on Monday, September 30, Monster cocreator Ryan Murphy said his intention of Gein’s season was to “provoke” questions on topics such as the root of America’s ongoing mental-health crisis.
