True crime continues to grip American audiences—from podcasts to Netflix documentaries—but sometimes the stories we hear aren’t quite the full picture. One of the most puzzling threads in the Ed Gein saga is the claim that he had a long-term girlfriend, a woman named Adeline Watkins. Did she really date one of America’s most infamous killers? Or was her claim a product of sensational media coverage?
This article explores who Watkins was, what she said about her supposed relationship with Gein, and how modern portrayals are reshaping this strange corner of U.S. true-crime history.
Background & Context: Ed Gein and His Public Persona
Before diving into the girlfriend claim, it helps to understand who Ed Gein was and how his story captured America’s imagination.
Ed Gein was a murderer and grave robber from Plainfield, Wisconsin. His crimes, uncovered in 1957, shocked the nation when investigators discovered he had exhumed corpses and used body parts to create household items and clothing.
Gein’s case became the blueprint for some of America’s most iconic fictional killers, including Norman Bates in Psycho and Buffalo Bill in The Silence of the Lambs.
Publicly, Gein was portrayed as a reclusive man deeply attached to his controlling mother. After her death, he became increasingly isolated. Against that background, the idea that he maintained a decades-long romantic relationship seemed almost unbelievable—until a woman named Adeline Watkins stepped forward.
The Story of Adeline Watkins: Claims and Controversy
The Initial Romance Claim
Shortly after Gein’s arrest in 1957, a woman named Adeline Watkins claimed she had been romantically involved with him for nearly 20 years. In early interviews, she described Gein as gentle, kind, and “sweet.”
According to her account, their dates were modest and innocent—movies, milkshakes, and the occasional night at a local tavern. She even said Gein proposed to her in 1955, but she declined because she felt she couldn’t “live up to what he expected.”
Watkins’ mother reportedly supported her daughter’s claims, describing Gein as polite and respectful, and saying he always brought Adeline home on time.
Retraction and Doubts
Just days later, Watkins publicly retracted her story. She contacted a local newspaper to clarify that her earlier statements had been exaggerated. She denied that she and Gein were ever “sweethearts” in the romantic sense, saying instead that their relationship was friendly but platonic.
She explained that she had known Gein for many years but hadn’t seen him regularly until after 1954. Despite the retraction, Watkins maintained that he was always courteous and kind toward her.
Why the Flip-Flop?
There are several possible explanations for Watkins’ sudden reversal:
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Media Pressure: Once her story went national, she may have felt overwhelmed and fearful of the attention.
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Exaggeration: It’s possible her first account was overstated or misinterpreted by reporters eager for a headline.
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Mixed Relationship Reality: Perhaps she and Gein had a casual, friendly connection—something between acquaintance and courtship—but not the serious romance initially portrayed.
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Protecting Reputation: After Gein’s gruesome crimes became public, Watkins may have wanted to distance herself to avoid stigma or legal scrutiny.
Whatever the reason, her retraction left historians and the public wondering what—if anything—was true.
What Happened to Her Afterward?
After those 1957 interviews, Adeline Watkins faded from public life. No further credible records of her have surfaced. She wasn’t part of the trial proceedings, and her name appeared rarely in later reports about Gein.
In recent years, however, her story has re-entered pop culture. Netflix’s Monster: The Ed Gein Story (released in 2025) dramatized her role, with actress Suzanna Son portraying Watkins. The show added emotional and fictional elements to her character, renewing debate about what really happened.
In reality, historians still view her account with skepticism. While she likely knew Gein, evidence of a long-term romance remains weak or nonexistent.
Why the Question Still Matters
True Crime and the Media
In American culture, true crime is more than a genre—it’s a phenomenon. But stories like Watkins’ remind us how media coverage can blur the line between fact and fiction. Her shifting narrative shows how sensationalism and public fascination can distort history.
Gender and Public Perception
Watkins’ portrayal also highlights how women connected to infamous criminals are often romanticized or vilified. Her quick shift from “devoted girlfriend” to “embarrassed acquaintance” reflects broader social attitudes toward women’s credibility in mid-20th-century America.
Modern Storytelling
By revisiting Watkins’ story, modern true-crime adaptations add emotional complexity to what was once seen as a purely horrific tale. For viewers and readers today, these stories prompt questions not only about crime, but about memory, reputation, and the way we construct “truth.”
FAQs
Q: Was Adeline Watkins ever married to Ed Gein?
No. She claimed he proposed to her, but later denied that they had ever been in a romantic relationship.
Q: Did historians verify her story?
No. Most historians and biographers consider her account unverified and likely exaggerated.
Q: Why is her story being discussed again?
Her character reappeared in the Netflix series Monster: The Ed Gein Story, which dramatized her alleged connection to Gein.
Q: Did Watkins face legal trouble for her claims?
No. There is no record of any legal consequences, and she reportedly withdrew from public attention soon after her retraction.
Conclusion
So—what really happened to Ed Gein’s girlfriend?
The simplest answer is that there may not have been one. Adeline Watkins’ claim of a 20-year romance remains unsupported by evidence. What we do know is that she knew Gein, spoke briefly to the press, then spent the rest of her life avoiding the spotlight.
Her story is a reminder to true-crime fans everywhere: not every shocking claim holds up to scrutiny. As new series and documentaries revisit old cases, it’s important to separate fact from fiction and remember that history can be as fragile as memory itself.