Netflix Docuseries Revives Chilling Legacy of Wisconsin serial Killer Ed Gein
WAUKESHA, WI – A new Netflix docuseries is drawing renewed attention to the gruesome crimes of Ed Gein, the wisconsin farmer whose macabre activities in the 1950s shocked the nation and profoundly influenced the horror genre. The four-part series, released this week, meticulously examines the inquiry into GeinS murders and the disturbing discoveries made at his Plainfield farm, offering a chilling portrait of a deeply troubled individual.
The case, initially focused on the disappearances of local residents, escalated into a horrifying investigation revealing Gein had exhumed corpses from nearby cemeteries and fashioned trophies from their remains. Beyond the immediate impact on the victims’ families and the community, the gein case became a cultural touchstone, inspiring fictionalized accounts like psycho and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and shaping the public’s understanding of serial killers and the dark side of the American psyche. The docuseries arrives as true crime continues to dominate streaming platforms, prompting a re-evaluation of the case’s enduring fascination and its impact on forensic psychology.
Born in 1906, Gein lived a secluded life with his mother, Augusta, in rural Wisconsin. Following her death in 1945, he sealed off rooms in the farmhouse, becoming increasingly isolated and eccentric. The first indication of somthing deeply amiss came with the disappearance of local grocer George Edworth in 1954, followed by hardware store owner Bernice Worden in 1957.
sheriff Art Schley, suspicious of Gein, obtained a search warrant for the property. What investigators uncovered was beyond comprehension: human skulls, bones, and organs scattered throughout the house.Authorities discovered the remains of Bernice worden, confirming Gein’s involvement in her disappearance. Further investigation revealed that Gein had also exhumed bodies from the local cemetery, using the remains to create household items, including lampshades made from human skin and furniture upholstered with skin.
Gein confessed to killing Worden and Edworth, though he claimed the murders were committed in a state of diminished duty. He was found not guilty by reason of insanity in 1957 and committed to the Central State Hospital for the criminally Insane, where he remained for the rest of his life. He died in 1984 at the age of 78.
The Netflix docuseries features archival footage,interviews with investigators,and expert analysis,providing a complete and unsettling look into the life and crimes of Ed gein. It serves as a stark reminder of the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of seemingly ordinary lives and the enduring power of true crime to captivate and disturb.
