The quiet and unassuming town of Plainfield, Wisconsin, became the backdrop for one of the most gruesome and disturbing true crime stories in American history. At its center was Ed Gein, a seemingly ordinary man whose macabre activities shocked the nation and forever linked his name with horror and depravity.
Early Life and Family
Edward Theodore Gein was born on August 27, 1906, to George and Augusta Gein. His father was an alcoholic and his mother was a domineering and religious fanatic who instilled in her sons a deep fear of sin and the outside world. Ed and his older brother, Henry, grew up isolated on their family farm, their mother’s teachings shaping their worldview and limiting their social interactions.
Augusta Gein’s obsession with death and the afterlife had a profound impact on her sons. She would read them graphic passages from the Bible, focusing on death, punishment, and the evils of women. She also instilled in them a deep distrust of women, viewing them as temptresses who would lead them astray.
This distorted upbringing left a lasting mark on Ed Gein, contributing to his warped perceptions and later actions.
Isolation and Loss
In 1940, Ed’s father died, leaving him and Henry to care for their mother and the farm. The brothers remained isolated, their only contact with the outside world being occasional trips into town for supplies. However, in 1944, tragedy struck again when Henry died under mysterious circumstances. Though officially ruled an accident, rumors persisted that Ed may have been involved in his brother’s death.
With Henry gone, Ed was left alone with his mother. He devoted himself to caring for her, but her health deteriorated, and she suffered a series of strokes. In 1945, Augusta Gein died, leaving Ed alone on the farm. This loss was devastating for him, as his mother had been the dominant force in his life. Her death left a void that he would attempt to fill in disturbing ways.
The Descent into Darkness
Following his mother’s death, Ed Gein’s mental state deteriorated further. He became increasingly reclusive, spending his days reading books on anatomy, taxidermy, and cannibalism. He also developed a fascination with the human body, particularly female corpses. He began visiting local cemeteries at night, exhuming bodies and taking them back to his farm.
Gein’s obsession with the female form went beyond mere curiosity. He would skin the corpses, fashioning trophies and keepsakes from their remains. He made masks from their faces, bowls from their skulls, and lampshades from their skin. He even created a “woman suit” by sewing together various body parts, which he would wear around the farmhouse.
The Crimes Come to Light
On November 16, 1957, a local hardware store owner named Bernice Worden disappeared. Her son, who was also the deputy sheriff, became suspicious of Gein and obtained a search warrant for his farm. What they discovered was a scene of unimaginable horror.
Inside the farmhouse, authorities found Worden’s mutilated body hanging upside down in Gein’s shed. They also uncovered a trove of human remains, including skulls, bones, organs, and various body parts fashioned into grotesque objects. The sheer depravity of Gein’s crimes shocked the nation, and he quickly became known as the “Butcher of Plainfield.”
The Victims
Mary Hogan was a 51-year-old tavern owner in Plainfield, Wisconsin. She disappeared on December 8, 1954, leaving behind only bloodstains at her tavern. Despite a search, she remained missing for years. It was only after Ed Gein’s arrest in 1957 that her fate was revealed. Gein confessed to killing Hogan and led investigators to her grave site. Her body had been decapitated, and her head was found preserved in Gein’s house.
Bernice Worden was a 58-year-old widow who owned and operated the Plainfield Hardware Store. She was well-respected in the community and known for her helpful nature. On November 16, 1957, she disappeared from her store, leaving behind a blood trail. Her son, Deputy Sheriff Frank Worden, became suspicious of Ed Gein, who had been in the store shortly before Bernice’s disappearance. A search of Gein’s property led to the discovery of Bernice’s mutilated body, hanging upside down in his shed.
Trial and Imprisonment
On November 16, 1957, Ed Gein was arrested and charged with Worden’s murder. He confessed to killing both her and Mary Hogan. He also admitted to exhuming numerous bodies from local cemeteries. However, he was found mentally incompetent to stand trial and was committed to a state mental hospital.
In 1968, Gein was deemed fit to stand trial and was convicted of Worden’s murder. However, he was found not guilty by reason of insanity and was sent back to the mental hospital. He spent the rest of his life in confinement, dying of cancer in 1984 at the age of 77.
Legacy and Influence
Ed Gein’s crimes left a lasting impact on American culture. His story inspired several horror films, including “Psycho,” “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre,” and “The Silence of the Lambs.” The character of Buffalo Bill in “The Silence of the Lambs” was particularly influenced by Gein, as both were skin-wearing killers with a twisted fascination with the female form.
Gein’s case also raised questions about mental illness and the role it plays in criminal behavior. His isolated upbringing, his mother’s domineering influence, and his own warped perceptions all contributed to his descent into madness. However, his story also serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked obsession and the darkness that can lurk within seemingly ordinary individuals.
Conclusion
The story of Ed Gein remains one of the most chilling and disturbing true crime cases in American history. His macabre activities shocked the nation and forever linked his name with horror and depravity. Though he died in confinement, his legacy lives on, serving as a reminder of the darkness that can exist within the human psyche and the importance of understanding and addressing mental illness.
The story of Ed Gein continues to fascinate and horrify. What aspects of his case do you find most disturbing or intriguing?
Sources:
- Crime Museum: https://www.crimemuseum.org/crime-library/serial-killers/ed-gein/
- Biography.com: https://www.biography.com/crime/ed-gein
- Deviant by Harold Schechter is impeccably researched and an excellent read.
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