Long before Netflix turned true crime into a cultural obsession, one man’s story redefined horror itself — Ed Gein, the “Butcher of Plainfield.” His gruesome crimes shocked the nation and inspired some of Hollywood’s most disturbing characters, including Norman Bates (Psycho), Leatherface (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre), and Buffalo Bill (The Silence of the Lambs).
But who was Ed Gein, and who was his first victim? The truth is even darker than most realize — a story that begins not with a stranger, but within his own family.
Who Was Ed Gein? The Quiet Man from Plainfield, Wisconsin
Born in 1906, Ed Gein grew up in Plainfield, Wisconsin, on a remote family farm. He lived with his controlling mother, Augusta, and older brother, Henry.
Augusta’s fanatical religious beliefs and hatred of women scarred Ed deeply. Isolated from the world, he developed an unhealthy attachment to her and grew socially withdrawn. After her death in 1945, Ed’s loneliness spiraled into obsession — with anatomy, corpses, and the female body.
That obsession would soon lead to murder.
Ed Gein’s First Kill: The Suspicious Death of His Brother Henry
The first suspicious death connected to Ed Gein occurred in 1944 — and it wasn’t a stranger who died. It was his brother.
While burning brush on their property, the fire spread out of control. Later that evening, Henry Gein was found dead, lying face down. His body was oddly unburned but showed bruises on his head, suggesting blunt-force trauma.
Police ruled it an accident, but locals whispered otherwise. Henry had often criticized their mother — something Ed couldn’t tolerate. Decades later, investigators and psychologists agreed that Ed Gein likely killed his brother, marking Henry as his first victim, though the case was never reopened.
Henry’s death changed everything. Alone with his mother until her death a year later, Ed began his descent into isolation, delusion, and death.
Mary Hogan: Ed Gein’s First Confirmed Murder
Ten years later, in December 1954, Plainfield tavern owner Mary Hogan disappeared without a trace. Known for her brash personality, she was everything Ed’s mother despised — and everything Ed secretly desired.
Police found blood on the tavern floor and an empty cash register, but no body. For three years, the mystery remained unsolved. Then, in 1957, a second disappearance would expose the horrors lurking inside Ed Gein’s farmhouse.
The Discovery That Shocked the Nation
When Bernice Worden, a local hardware store owner, went missing in November 1957, investigators followed the trail to Gein’s property. What they found inside became one of the most infamous crime scenes in American history.
They discovered Worden’s body — along with skulls, human-skin masks, furniture upholstered in flesh, and preserved body parts.
Among the remains were pieces belonging to Mary Hogan. Gein confessed to killing her, saying he’d shot her and taken her body home “to keep her company.”
Mary Hogan thus became Ed Gein’s first confirmed murder victim, while Henry remained his likely first kill.
The Mind Behind the Monster
Unlike typical serial killers, Ed Gein wasn’t driven by pleasure or power. His crimes stemmed from a delusional obsession with his dead mother and a desire to “recreate” her through skin, bones, and body parts.
This disturbing psychology inspired generations of horror storytellers.
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Norman Bates in Psycho (1960) reflected Gein’s fixation on his mother.
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Leatherface in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) borrowed his use of human-skin masks.
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Buffalo Bill in The Silence of the Lambs (1991) echoed his gruesome desire for transformation.
Even today, Gein’s twisted psychology remains a cornerstone of American horror and true crime fascination.
Why Ed Gein’s Story Still Haunts America
Americans remain captivated by true crime because it reveals the darkness beneath ordinary life. Ed Gein wasn’t a city monster — he was a shy, quiet man from a small Wisconsin town.
His story serves as a grim reminder: real evil doesn’t always look dangerous. Sometimes, it looks like your neighbor.
Ed Gein’s life — from the suspicious death of Henry to the confirmed murder of Mary Hogan — marked a shift in how the U.S. viewed crime, psychology, and fear itself.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ed Gein
1. Who was Ed Gein’s first victim?
His brother, Henry Gein, is believed to have been his first victim in 1944, though never proven. His first confirmed murder was Mary Hogan in 1954.
2. How many people did Ed Gein kill?
Police confirmed only two murders — Mary Hogan and Bernice Worden — but Gein confessed to digging up graves and using corpses for body parts.
3. What happened to Ed Gein after his arrest?
He was found legally insane and spent the rest of his life in a mental hospital until his death in 1984.
4. What movies were inspired by Ed Gein?
Psycho, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and The Silence of the Lambs were all based, in part, on Ed Gein’s crimes.
5. Why is Ed Gein still relevant today?
Because his story shaped modern horror and continues to influence true crime media, documentaries, and psychological thrillers.
Conclusion: The Legacy of Ed Gein’s First Kill
The story of Ed Gein’s first kill isn’t just about murder — it’s about obsession, isolation, and the fragile boundary between love and horror.
Whether his first victim was his brother Henry or his first confirmed kill, Mary Hogan, Ed Gein’s actions forever blurred the line between reality and nightmare.
From Plainfield’s quiet farms to Hollywood’s silver screens, Gein’s legacy endures as a chilling warning: monsters aren’t born in stories — they’re made in silence.