Gruesome Legacy of Ed Gein Explored in New Netflix Series
The chilling story of Ed Gein, a figure infamous in American criminal history, is being revisited in the new Netflix series, Monster: The Ed Gein Story. Gein, whose gruesome acts inspired iconic horror films, committed grave-robbing and murder in the mid-20th century. His life and crimes have fascinated true crime enthusiasts for decades, and the series aims to shed light on the unsettling details of his double life.
Gein’s criminal activities were revealed in 1957 when law enforcement searched his farmhouse in Plainfield, Wisconsin, while investigating the disappearance of local hardware store owner Bernice Worden. What they found inside was shocking: the severed head of Mary Hogan, a tavern owner who had vanished three years earlier, alongside a horrifying collection of body parts used to create furniture and household items. The investigation uncovered human skulls and other remnants among the debris of his home, prompting widespread horror in the community.
In an interview with The U.S. Sun, true crime author Harold Schechter, who chronicled Gein’s story in his book Deviant, noted that Gein had a methodical approach to grave-robbing. He would read obituaries to identify recently buried individuals, then return to the cemetery under the cover of darkness, taking advantage of the fresh soil that made it easy to disturb graves. Schechter stated, “The soil hadn’t set, so it was very easy to dig up, remove the corpse, or some portion of the corpse, and then rebury it.”
The effects of Gein’s crimes were deeply felt in Plainfield. Locals reportedly felt “violated” as the details emerged, with many connections to the victims hesitant to discuss the events. Schechter described how the older generations were particularly sensitive about the topic, as they lived through the trauma of Gein’s actions. His research involved extensive interviews with community members, revealing a complex emotional landscape still impacted by Gein’s legacy.
Gein was ultimately convicted of killing two women: Bernice Worden and Mary Hogan. Following his arrest, he confessed to robbing nine graves, claiming he might have disturbed as many as forty. Diagnosed with schizophrenia, he was found not guilty by reason of insanity and was committed to psychiatric institutions for the rest of his life, passing away at age 77 in July 1984.
The Netflix series, directed by Ryan Murphy and featuring Charlie Hunnam as Gein, aims to provide a more in-depth look at his troubled psyche. Schechter expressed mixed feelings about the adaptation, noting that he did not have any prior communication with the creators but remained interested in how his research would be interpreted on screen.
Gein’s relationship with his mother, Augusta, played a crucial role in his psychological development. Described as both loving and domineering, Augusta instilled in Gein a distorted view of women, categorizing them as either “saints or whores.” After her death in 1945, Gein’s mental state deteriorated, leading him to engage in disturbing behaviors. Schechter theorizes that Gein’s horrific acts may have stemmed from an attempt to resurrect his mother in some twisted form.
The gruesome nature of Gein’s crimes, including the crafting of human skin into masks and other items, has cemented his status as a macabre figure in American folklore. His legacy has influenced a range of horror movies, including Psycho, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and The Silence of the Lambs.
As the release of Monster: The Ed Gein Story approaches, Schechter believes the series will attract significant attention. He predicts that the local community in Plainfield may even seek to profit from Gein’s notoriety, potentially turning to memorabilia and tourism as a means of economic benefit.
Gein’s farmhouse, once a site of horror, was destroyed by fire on March 20, 1958, under suspicious circumstances just days before it was set to be auctioned. This act likely aimed to prevent the site from becoming a morbid tourist attraction, a concern shared by many in the community who wished to distance themselves from the heinous acts of their former neighbor.
Schechter poignantly remarked on Gein’s mythic status: “He was kind of like a fairytale or supernatural monster come to life.” The revival of Gein’s story through popular media continues to resonate, reminding audiences of the thin line between reality and the horror narratives that captivate our imaginations.
