PLAINFIELD, WISCONSIN – The chilling and horrific story of Ed Gein, infamously known as the “Butcher of Plainfield,” continues to captivate the world with its shocking details. Gein, one of the most notorious serial killers in history, confessed to two murders but is suspected of several others. His gruesome acts included digging up graves, stealing body parts, and using them to decorate his home.
Gein’s first victim was Mary Hogan, who went missing in 1954. In 1944, his older brother Henry died in a fire, initially thought to be an accident. However, suspicions arose due to Gein’s unhealthy obsession with their mother, who died in 1945. This tragedy seemed to trigger Gein’s descent into horrifying crimes.
In 1957, Gein committed his second murder, leading to the discovery of his house filled with human remains and gruesome decorations made from body parts. He confessed to the murder of Bernice Worden and revealed his macabre desire to create a “woman suit” from women’s body parts to resurrect his mother.
Despite the overwhelming evidence and his confessions, Gein was declared unfit to stand trial in 1957 due to insanity. It wasn’t until ten years later that he was deemed fit, at which point he was only convicted of one murder. Diagnosed with schizophrenia, Gein spent the rest of his life in an institution before his death in 1984.
The shocking crimes of Ed Gein inspired iconic film and television characters and continue to fascinate audiences. His case served as the basis for numerous crime films, cementing his status as one of the most gruesome criminals in history. In fact, a 2023 MGM+ mini-series called “Psycho: The Lost Tapes of Ed Gein” delves into his crimes and their link to his relationship with his mother.
Ed Gein’s horrifying legacy remains etched in history, a chilling reminder of the darkness that lurks within the human psyche.