Case Study into the Serial Killer – Ed Gein
Born in 1906 in Wisconsin United States, Edward Theodore (Ed) Gein grew up to be a notorious murderer and grave robber whose real life led to the development of diverse fictional serial killers. The local law enforcement first suspected Gein after the disappearance of hardware store owner Bernice Worden in 1957. After entering his home, they were greeted by the gruesome sight of a headless worden’s body hanging from the ceiling. It was an absolute horror for the officers leading to further investigations uncovering more shocking discoveries of human skulls and body parts all over the home. Gein was apprehended and after interrogation, he admitted to have exhumed as many as 40 corps from three local graveyards between 1947 and 1952 (Carson 2015). He confessed shooting Bernice Worden with a .22 caliber rifle and later mutilating her body. He also admitted shooting Mary Hogan, tavern owner, in 1954. This paper will discuss Ed Gein personality, issues surrounding the case after arrest and how he was able to escape
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21). The offender grew up in a repressive household living with his father who was an alcoholic, and dominated by a religious and controlling mother. Together with his brother Henry, Gein’s mother preached to them about the evil of the world. She also isolated her boys and turned away outsiders who could have influenced them. She despised her husband (Gein’s father) as an alcoholic and unable to keep his job. In 1940, Geins father died of heart failure due to his alcoholism. The death of his elder brother Henry followed in 1944 under mysterious circumstances. Ed Gein was now left with his mother whom they had a close relationship with. He even devoted to taking care of her after suffering a paralysing stroke after the death of her son