This article includes explanations of the violent crimes committed by Ed Gein. Readers may find the nature of these crimes to be disturbing.
Monster: The Ed Gein story depicts the heinous acts of its titular serial killer, leading to questions about the real-life events that transpired. Ryan Murphy’s controversial Monster series returns for season 3, depicting the life of yet another one of the most awful human beings the world has seen. This time, the subject is 1950s killer Ed Gein.
The Monster anthology show is infamous for its controversial depiction of horrifying, real-world tragedies, which makes it all the more important for the viewer to research and understand the genuine facts. This is especially apparent when it comes to the lives of Gein’s victims. This material should not be sensationalized.
Ed Gein Killed Two Women, But He Was Linked To Other Victims
Police caught on to the actions of Ed Gein in 1957, though he had been active in crimes for years. Gein was the last person spotted with Bernice Worden, a hardware store owner who went missing. Police discovered Bernice Worden’s body at Gein’s farm, where her body was hanged by her feet. She had been shot and mutilated. Her head was left in a box (via Star Tribune).
The search for Bernice Worden’s body allowed law enforcement to find the skull of Mary Hogan, who had gone missing in 1954, finally confirming her mysterious disappearance. Bernice Worden and Mary Hogan were Ed Gein’s two confirmed victims.
Ed Gein is often associated with several other disappearances that occurred in Wisconsin around this time. 8-year-old Georgia Jean Weckler disappeared in May 1947, and witnesses reported a suspicious vehicle with a similar model to Gein’s. 14-year-old Evelyn Grace Hartley went missing in October 1953, but Gein claimed he was not involved (Deviant – Harold Schechter).
42-year-old Victor Harold Travis and Raymond Burgess went missing after a hunting excursion on the property next to Gein’s. Ed Gein had previously warned them not to hunt there (via Sarasota Herald-Tribune). 32-year-old James Walsh was Ed Gein’s neighbor and disappeared in June 1954.
Other Crimes Committed By Serial Killer Ed Gein
Ed Gein’s crimes extend beyond just his murders and suspected murders. Evidence later implicated him in grave-robbing, which would explain the numerous preserved items of human remains found in his home, including face masks made from skin, preserved female sex organs.
After his mother’s death, Gein attempted to create a “woman suit,” so he could become his mother using dug-up human skin and organs (via CrimeLibrary). Gein admitted to using the corpses for sexual gratification, but denied directly physically engaging with them or partaking in cannibalism.
Ed Gein’s Conviction & Criminal Sentencing Explained
Ed Gein was initially committed to the Central State Hospital for the Criminally Insane after being considered unfit to stand trial for his crimes due to schizophrenia. He was later tried again when this decision was rectified, receiving a conviction for first-degree murder, though later declared not guilty due to insanity.
Ed Gein returned to Central State before being transferred to Mendota Mental Health Institute. He remained at this location until his death by respiratory failure on July 26, 1984. Monster: The Ed Gein story depicts the tragedies he was responsible for.
Sources: Star Tribune, Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Deviant – Harold Schechter, CrimeLibrary
