What was found in Ed Gein's house? List of items and fate of killer's property

Netflix's latest true crime series revisits one of the most notorious real-life horror stories.

Monster: The Ed Gein Story, available on the platform from 3 October, delves into the life of Gein, a man suspected in multiple murder cases whose behind-closed-doors activities were even more horrifying than imagined.

The shocking revelations left even the most seasoned police officers involved in the case appalled.

Charlie Hunnam is set to portray Gein in the Netflix series, which explores what the streaming giant refers to as "the start of modern horror".

Also known by his moniker, the Plainfield Ghoul, Gein resided in Wisconsin during the 1950s and was confirmed to have murdered two women. He was also implicated in other unresolved cases.

It later transpired that he had exhumed bodies from the local graveyard, reports the Mirror.

The full extent of Gein's gruesome activities only came to light when police entered his house for the first time. Here's everything you need to know about what was discovered inside Ed Gein's home, its location, and its fate.

What was discovered inside Ed Gein's house?

Gein was apprehended in 1957 for the murder of shop owner Bernice Worden. Consequently, police conducted a search of his home.

However, they were not prepared for the macabre findings within including various body parts, some fashioned into different objects. There were also skulls apparently used as ornaments. Among the items they discovered were:

• A wastebasket made of human skin
• Chair seats covered in human skin
• Skulls used as decorations on bedposts
• Several female skulls, some with the tops sawn off
• Bowls made from human skulls
• A corset made from a female torso skinned from shoulders to waist
• A pair of lips on a window shade drawstring
• Four noses
• A belt made from female nipples
• Two vulvas from teenage girls
• Nine women's vulvae in a shoe box
• Bernice Worden's heart in a plastic bag
• Bernice Worden's entire head in a sack
• Masks made from female faces
• Leggings made from human leg skin

Officers also discovered a "skin suit" of a woman who resembled his mother, with Gein telling detectives that he'd crafted it and would frequently climb inside so he felt like he "could become his mother". His mother had passed away in 1945.

Gein admitted he made at least 40 nocturnal visits to local cemeteries between 1947 and 1952. He would dig up freshly-buried corpses of middle-aged women he believed looked like his mother.

What became of Ed Gein's house?

According to criminology experts, Gein transformed the farmhouse where he was raised into a shrine for his mother following her death. He sealed off rooms where she had spent time, keeping them exactly as they were.

He existed in filth throughout the remainder of the house. After his trial, the property and surrounding land was assessed at $4,700 (equivalent to approximately £51,000 in 2024).

There were fears that it would inevitably attract tourists. Nevertheless, before it could be purchased, flames consumed the house.

It was thought to have been ignited by a cleaning team who were burning rubbish nearby. Arson was suspected, but the true cause was never officially determined.

The Fire Chief at the time, Frank Worden, happened to be son of one of Gein's victims, Bernice Worden.

Gein's car was sold at auction and fetched around $8,300 in today's money. It was snapped up by a Carnival Sideshow operator, who charged visitors to see it.

Monster: The Ed Gein Story is streaming on Netflix.