With the recent release of Monster: The Ed Gein Story on Netflix, audiences have flocked to binge the latest entry in Ryan Murphy’s true crime anthology. The new part of the series, which dramatizes the life of one of America’s most notorious serial killers, has been a hit so far. It has even sparked curiosity and debate about the man behind the headlines. While Gein’s grisly crimes (which include exhuming corpses and crafting objects from human remains) have long captured public attention, the series shows a different lens. It explores his personal relationships, particularly with a woman named Adeline Watkins.
Netflix’s portrayal of Gein has drawn attention to not just his shocking crimes, but also explores the human complexities behind the monster who murdered. Viewers have been intrigued by whether Gein formed attachments or exhibited moments of normalcy amid his horrifying acts. The discussion around his personal life, including romantic connections, has reignited public interest in Gein. Of course, all the history, psychology and myth that surrounds him and other criminals. Here’s what we know about Ed Gein’s love life, and how much of what’s depicted in Monster is accurate.
Who was Ed Gein?
Edward Theodore Gein was born in 1906 and died in 1984; however, much of his legacy is shrouded in other deaths. He was a farmer in Plainfield, Wisconsin, with a seemingly simple life, although he eventually became well known for his dark secrets. Gein lived on the family farm with his brother Henry and their mother, taking on handyman jobs to earn extra money. Eventually, he rose to infamy when investigators discovered that he had exhumed corpses from local graves.
And that’s not all he did – Ed Gein also crafted items with human remains and admitted to murdering Mary Hogan (1954) and Bernice Worden (1957). As People reports, the murder of these women (a barmaid and a hardware store owner, respectively) revealed his deeply disturbed psyche. Despite this confession, the dark nature of his crimes have led many to believe he is connected to other disappearances.
After his arrest, Gein was found legally insane and spent the rest of his life in a psychiatric hospital until his in 1984. Due to the nature of his crimes and the gruesome facts surrounding them, he has loomed large in horror lore. As Biography.cpm reports, he even inspired some pretty famous horror films, including Psycho, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and The Silence of the Lambs.
Is Adeline Watkins real?
Murphy’s latest season of Monster zeroes in on an angle that is rarely emphasized in previous adaptations. This is his alleged romance with a neighbor named Adeline Watkins. Off-screen, Watkins was a real woman who became linked to Gein in media coverage following his highly publicized arrest, per Marie Claire.
In November 1957, which was just days after Gein’s capture, Watkins gave an interesting interview. Per People, she claimed that she and Gein had been romantically involved for two decades and even went on to describe him as “sweet and kind.” Watkins suggested that Gein proposed to her in 1955.
However, they never got married because, as she shared, “I turned him down, but not because there was anything wrong with him […] It was something wrong with me. I guess I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to live up to what he expected of me.” Intriguingly, she stated that they often went to the movies or went out for milkshakes and discussed murder cases together. Despite this tricky detail, Watkins maintains that Gein never confessed his crimes to her.
What really mixed things up is that just days later, Watkins retracted much of her earlier story and told the local newspaper that their romance had been exaggerated. She then claimed that they had known each other for 20 years, but their “romantic involvement” lasted only about seven months. She allegedly also downplayed her praise of Gein and insisted that their relationship was basically platonic.
Did Ed Gein babysit kids?
As The Tab reports, before his crimes became public, Gein worked as a handyman and even occasionally babysat for neighbors. He was generally considered a reliable person in the community and seemed to relate easily to children. Claims about his love for children stem from community recollections and online assumptions rather than formal documentation. There is no evidence that babysitting was a common occurrence or bread-making occupation.
However, in the biography “Deviant” by Harold Schechter, it is stated that he performed “magic tricks” and read creepy stories to children. This was well before he reportedly began digging graves, according to The Tab.
Did Ed Gein kill a nurse?
In Monster: The Ed Gein Story, a dramatized scene depicts Gein killing a nurse at a hospital where he is confined. But according to The Tab, there is no historical evidence that this murder happened. In fact, in the show, it is a testament to his declining mental health. The murder is staged as a schizophrenic episode, which highlights his violent hallucinations.
The event appears to be entirely fictional or a dramatic embellishment crafted for narrative effect. More modern reporting and investigations confirm only two murders for which he was convicted or credibly admitted to. Mary Hogan and Bernice Worden, neither of which were nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Ed Gein talk to Ilse?
In the Netflix series, Gein is shown to be aware of Ilse Koch when Watkins introduces her background to him. This figure was an infamous Nazi associated with atrocities involving human skin, as Biography reports. However, historically, there is no evidence that he ever communicated with Koch or had any connection.
Was Ed Gein soft spoken?
As People reports, Gein was relatively soft spoken. Contemporary depictions of him generally portray him as quiet, polite and even mild-mannered, which make his crimes even more shocking.