Long before Netflix made true crime a national obsession, the story of Ed Gein shocked the United States like nothing before it. His name became synonymous with horror — inspiring timeless fictional villains like Norman Bates (Psycho), Leatherface (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre), and Buffalo Bill (The Silence of the Lambs).
But who exactly was Ed Gein, and who was his first victim? The answer lies in a chilling true story that blurs the line between small-town America and nightmare — a tale that still echoes in the nation’s fascination with dark psychology and criminal curiosity.
Who Was Ed Gein? A Quiet Man from a Quiet Town
Born in 1906 in Plainfield, Wisconsin, Ed Gein seemed like the least likely person to become one of America’s most notorious murderers. He lived on an isolated farm with his domineering mother, Augusta, and his brother, Henry.
Augusta’s strict religious beliefs and hatred of women left a deep psychological scar on Ed. After her death in 1945, he became increasingly withdrawn — obsessed with anatomy books, death, and the female body.
It wasn’t long before his fascination turned to something far darker.
Ed Gein’s First Murder: The Tragic Death of Mary Hogan
The Disappearance That Shocked a Small Wisconsin Town
In December 1954, Plainfield tavern owner Mary Hogan vanished without a trace. Locals described her as outspoken, bold, and tough — the complete opposite of Ed’s late mother. Her disappearance baffled authorities, who found only blood on the tavern floor and an empty cash register.
For nearly three years, the case went cold. Then came November 16, 1957 — the day Ed Gein’s horrific secret was uncovered.
The Discovery: From Curiosity to Catastrophe
When hardware store owner Bernice Worden went missing, investigators followed a trail that led to Gein’s farmhouse. Inside, police found Worden’s body — and a gruesome collection of human remains: skulls, masks made of skin, furniture upholstered with flesh, and countless body parts preserved like trophies.
Amid the chaos, one discovery confirmed the long-standing rumor: Mary Hogan’s remains were found among the ghastly artifacts. Gein casually admitted to her murder, saying he’d shot her in the tavern and brought her body home “to keep her company.”
Thus, Mary Hogan was confirmed as Ed Gein’s first known kill — the beginning of his descent into a world of madness that still horrifies the American imagination.
The Crimes That Inspired a Generation of Horror
What made Ed Gein’s story so haunting wasn’t just the murders — it was the psychological depth behind them. He wasn’t a serial killer in the traditional sense; his obsession was with reanimation and transformation.
Gein’s crimes inspired an entire subgenre of American horror. Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho (1960) introduced Norman Bates, a man with a disturbing attachment to his dead mother. Later, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Silence of the Lambs borrowed heavily from Gein’s grotesque fascination with human skin.
Even today, American audiences continue to explore stories that echo his pathology — from Dahmer on Netflix to podcasts like Crime Junkie and My Favorite Murder.
Why Americans Remain Fascinated by Ed Gein
True crime has always held a strange pull in U.S. culture. Perhaps it’s because stories like Gein’s reveal something about the hidden darkness beneath ordinary life — a reminder that even in small towns, unspeakable evil can lurk behind a friendly smile.
Ed Gein’s story endures not just as a historical horror, but as a psychological mirror reflecting America’s obsession with identity, isolation, and control. His first kill, Mary Hogan, represents the moment that fascination turned into irreversible horror.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who was Ed Gein’s first known victim?
Mary Hogan, a tavern owner from Plainfield, Wisconsin, was Ed Gein’s first confirmed murder victim in 1954.
2. How many people did Ed Gein kill?
Authorities confirmed only two murders (Mary Hogan and Bernice Worden), though Gein admitted to exhuming numerous graves.
3. What happened to Ed Gein after his arrest?
He was declared legally insane and spent the rest of his life in a mental institution until his death in 1984.
4. What movies were inspired by Ed Gein?
His crimes inspired Psycho, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and The Silence of the Lambs — all staples of American horror.
5. Why is Ed Gein’s story still relevant in 2025?
Because it shaped modern horror and continues to influence America’s fascination with real-life monsters and psychological thrillers.
Conclusion: The Legacy of Ed Gein’s First Kill
Ed Gein’s first murder — the tragic death of Mary Hogan — didn’t just expose the dark corners of one man’s mind. It changed how America understood evil itself. His crimes bridged the gap between real life and fiction, turning Plainfield, Wisconsin, into a symbol of the uncanny — a place where horror became real.
For Americans, Gein’s story remains a chilling reminder: monsters aren’t always born in movies. Sometimes, they come from the most ordinary of places.