Who Is Ed Gein? The True Story Behind Netflix’s ‘Monster: The Ed Gein Story’

Ed Gein is one of the most infamous criminals in American history. The new Netflix series “Monster: The Ed Gein Story,” which premiered this week, is based on his real-life crimes — murders and grave robberies that shocked the quiet town of Plainfield, Wisconsin, in the 1950s and inspired classic horror films like “Psycho,” “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre,” and “The Silence of the Lambs.”

The show explores how Gein’s deeply troubled life turned into a case that still haunts popular culture. Here is the chilling true story behind the man who became known as the “Plainfield Ghoul.”

Ed Gein’s Early Life and Troubled Upbringing

Edward Theodore Gein was born on August 27, 1906, in La Crosse County, Wisconsin. He grew up with a controlling, fanatically religious mother, Augusta, who taught him that women were sinful and alcohol was evil. His father struggled with alcoholism and died when Ed was still young, leaving Augusta as the dominant figure in his life.

Gein was shy, socially awkward, and often laughed at odd moments, which made him stand out to neighbors. He spent much of his childhood isolated from others and deeply attached to his mother. Her death in 1945 reportedly left him emotionally broken and alone on the family farm in Plainfield.

The Death of Henry Gein and Growing Darkness

In 1944, Ed’s older brother, Henry, died under mysterious circumstances while the two were burning brush on their property. Though authorities ruled the death accidental, some later questioned whether Ed may have been involved. Henry’s passing left Ed even more isolated, and soon his disturbing behavior escalated.

Murders That Shook Plainfield

The first known victim tied to Gein was Mary Hogan, a tavern owner who vanished in December 1954. Authorities suspected foul play but had no evidence. Three years later, on November 16, 1957, hardware store owner Bernice Worden disappeared. Her son, Frank Worden — a deputy sheriff — found blood in the store and alerted police.

Investigators arrested Gein and searched his farmhouse. Inside, they uncovered a horror scene: Bernice Worden’s decapitated body hung upside down, and her head was found in a sack. They also found body parts, including skull bowls, a lampshade made of human skin, and clothing crafted from remains exhumed from local graves. The gruesome discoveries shocked the nation.

Gein confessed to killing Worden and Hogan. He also admitted to grave robbing, digging up corpses to create macabre household items and clothing. Authorities believe he may have desecrated dozens of graves, but he was formally charged with only two murders.

Trial, Insanity Ruling, and Death

Ed Gein was declared mentally unfit for trial and committed to Central State Hospital for the Criminally Insane. He was later deemed competent and tried in 1968, found guilty of murdering Bernice Worden but legally insane, and sent to psychiatric care. Gein spent the rest of his life in mental institutions until his death on July 26, 1984, at age 77.

His story became a cultural touchstone, inspiring iconic fictional killers like Norman Bates in “Psycho,” Leatherface in “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre,” and Buffalo Bill in “The Silence of the Lambs.”

Decades later, the fascination with Ed Gein endures. The Netflix series revisits his crimes with a focus on psychological depth and historical accuracy, exploring how one man’s warped world shaped some of the most terrifying stories ever told on screen.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Who is Ed Gein?

Ed Gein was an American murderer and grave robber whose crimes in 1950s Wisconsin inspired famous horror movies like “Psycho.”

Q2: How many people did Ed Gein kill?

He was officially convicted of murdering two women — Bernice Worden and Mary Hogan — though he robbed many graves.

Q3: What happened to Ed Gein after his arrest?

He was found legally insane and spent the rest of his life in psychiatric hospitals until his death in 1984.

Q4: Why is Ed Gein famous in pop culture?

His shocking crimes inspired fictional killers in “Psycho,” “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre,” and “The Silence of the Lambs.”

Q5: Is Netflix’s Monster series accurate about Ed Gein?

The series is based on real events and aims to portray his life and crimes accurately, though some scenes may be dramatized.