Despite his notoriety Ed Gein was not really a serial killer
The latest true crime series now streaming on Netflix revisits one of the most notorious real-life horror tales of all time. The horrifying story has even served as inspiration for a number of iconic horror movies.
Monster: The Ed Gein Story is now available for streaming on the streaming platform. Gein is not only remembered for his confirmed crimes, as well as a number of others he is suspected of having carried out, but also the shocking discoveries made at his home.
But who were Ed Gein’s victims? What were his crimes? And what happened following his trial? Here’s all you need to know.
How many people did Ed Gein kill?
Despite his notoriety, Ed Gein cannot really be classed as a serial killer, unlike many of the characters he may have inspired, having only confessed to two murders. These included 58-year-old Plainfield hardware store owner Bernice Worden, who disappeared from her place of work in November 1957.
While the business saw just a few customers during the day, Bernice’s son, Deputy Sheriff Frank Worden, went into the store around 5pm and found the cash register open with blood stains on the floor. Gein was reported to be expected to return to the store that morning for some anti-freeze – and a sales slip for the killer was the last receipt written by Bernice on the morning she disappeared.
Gein was arrested and officers searched his farm, where they found Bernice’s body, decapitated and hung upside down like a deer in a shed. It was determined she had been shot before being mutilated.
Gein also admitted that he shot 51-year-old tavern owner Mary Hogan, who had been reported missing on December 8, 1954. Her head was found in Gein’s home, but he later claimed he could not remember details of the killing.
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What were Ed Gein’s other crimes?
Gein also admitted to stealing from at least nine graves. He told authorities he made around 40 trips to cemeteries, digging up bodies and turning parts from them into various items that were found in his home.
Some of these included bowls made out of skulls, lampshades and masks made of skin, and a belt made of nipples. He also made a suit made of skin, which many believe was supposed to resemble Gein’s mother. However, he denied ever having sex with any of the bodies.
Was Ed Gein suspected of other murders?
Ed Gein was linked with a number of other suspicious deaths. He was a suspect in seven unsolved cases.
This included two children who went missing. Georgia Jean Weckler, eight, and Evelyn Grace Hartley, 14, disappeared when babysitting. There were also neighbours who vanished, including James Walsh, 32. Gein had carried out chores for James’ wife following her husband’s disappearance.
However, Gein passed lie detector tests when confronted with these cases. Psychiatrists also claimed Gein’s violence and crimes were only directed towards women who physically resembled his mother.
What happened to Ed Gein?
While charged with first degree murder in 1957, he was diagnosed with schizophrenia and declared unfit for trial. He was sent to the Central State Hospital for the Criminally Insane.
But in 1968, doctors decided he was able to stand trial, which lasted just one week and was held without a jury. A psychiatrist testified and claimed Gein told him he did not know if Bernice Worden’s death was accidental or not.
A second trial took place over Gein’s sanity. A judge ruled he was “not guilty by reason of insanity” and ordered him committed to Central State Hospital for the Criminally Insane.
Ed Gein died at the Mendota Mental Health Institute due to respiratory failure, on July 26, 1984, aged of 77.
Monster: The Ed Gein Story is streaming on Netflix.