Henry George Gein, known for his bad acts was a figure in the realm of horror. Hailing from Wisconsin, he was both a murderer and a grave robber leaving behind a legacy of crimes that continue to captivate and disgust many. However to truly comprehend the depths of his depravity one must peel back the layers. Let’s explore the man hidden beneath the facade.
Early Life and Background
Born in La Crosse, Wisconsin, in 1901, Gein’s formative years were shaped by a suffocatingly religious environment and a tumultuous family life. His father, George Philip Gein, was a very timid person who was often absent from home. Meanwhile his mother, Augusta Wilhelmine Gein, wielded beliefs that condemned human desires and perceived the human body as inherently sinful. She instilled in her sons, Henry and his elder brother Norman, a fear of the world beyond their home walls. Augusta actively discouraged interactions for her boys keeping them isolated from peers and fostering reliance on her.
As Henry matured amidst this existence, his fixation on death and anatomy grew exponentially. He immersed himself in books on practices and read his mother’s religious texts that emphasized sinfulness and retribution. These macabre interests were further nurtured by visits to graveyards, with Augusta.
Education
Gein’s schooling experience was rather ordinary attending schools where he faced challenges academically and socially. His mother’s strong religious views hindered his participation in any activities restricting his interactions, beyond his surroundings. Following his father’s passing in the 1940s, Gein and his ailing mother withdrew more from society.
Career
Gein had jobs in his lifetime mostly involving physical labor. However he never stuck with one job for long due to his awkwardness. Struggles with understanding social cues, which made it difficult for him to keep a job. Moreover his fascination with death often led to behavior that raised suspicions among his colleagues and ultimately led to his dismissal.
A Fractured Mind; Personal Life and Mental Well being
Gein’s life was practically nonexistent. His mother’s domineering nature and his own social anxieties hindered him from forming connections. His mother was his confidante and her passing in 1944 hastened his descent into madness.
A Path of Horror; Criminal Activities and Incarceration
In the years after his mother’s death, Gein’s morbid fixation on death took a turn. He began robbing and collecting body parts as souvenirs. This escalated to murder in 1954 when he killed Bernice Worden, a hardware store owner.
Gein’s crimes were driven not by anger or personal gain but by a macabre urge to craft items from remains. He crafted furniture, masks and even a crude “skin suit” from the bodies he pilfered. This disturbing practice earned him the nickname “The Plainfield Ghoul.” The nation was deeply shaken by the revelation of Gein’s atrocities in 1957. Following his arrest he was found incapable of standing trial due to his health condition. Gein remained in a facility until his passing in 1944.
