Ed Gein, one of the most notorious figures in American criminal history, has fascinated—and horrified—the public for decades. Known as the “Butcher of Plainfield” or the “Plainfield Ghoul,” his gruesome crimes inspired legendary horror characters like Norman Bates in Psycho, Leatherface in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Buffalo Bill in The Silence of the Lambs. While his grave-robbing and murders are well documented, one mystery continues to linger: Did Ed Gein kill his brother in Real Life?
Let’s dive into the facts, rumors, and theories surrounding this eerie question.
The Gein Family Background
Ed Gein was born in La Crosse County, Wisconsin, in 1906 to George and Augusta Gein. His childhood was shaped by his domineering, fanatically religious mother, Augusta, who preached that women (except herself) were sinful and corrupt. Ed’s father, George, was an abusive alcoholic who died in 1940, leaving Ed and his older brother, Henry, under Augusta’s strict influence.
While Ed was seen as quiet, awkward, and obedient to his mother, Henry began to resist Augusta’s teachings. He criticized her harsh views, especially when it came to women, and worried that Ed was too dependent on her. This tension may have played a role in the mysterious circumstances of Henry’s death.
The Night of Henry’s Death
In May 1944, a brush fire broke out near the Gein family farm in Plainfield, Wisconsin. Ed and Henry went out together to control the fire, but by evening, Henry was dead.
Here’s what’s known:
- Ed reported Henry missing after the fire.
- A search party went out and found Henry’s body lying face down, not far from the burned area.
- Curiously, Ed led searchers directly to his brother’s body, almost as if he already knew where it was.
- The scene raised questions because Henry’s body showed bruises on his head, which didn’t seem consistent with just smoke inhalation (the official cause of death).
Official Cause of Death
The local coroner officially ruled that Henry died of “asphyxiation due to smoke inhalation.” There was no autopsy performed, and the bruises on his head were largely dismissed as insignificant. Because of this, Henry’s death was classified as accidental.
However, the fact that Ed pointed rescuers straight to his brother’s body, coupled with those unexplained head injuries, fueled suspicions that Henry’s death wasn’t an accident at all.
Did Ed Kill Henry? Theories and Speculation
1. Henry Challenged Augusta’s Authority
Some historians and true crime experts believe Henry’s growing resistance to their mother could have pushed Ed over the edge. Augusta was Ed’s whole world, and anyone who threatened that bond—even his own brother—might have been seen as an enemy.
2. The Convenient Accident
The brush fire provided the perfect cover for an accident. If Ed struck Henry during an argument or confrontation, the fire could have been used to explain away the death.
3. Psychological Dependence on Augusta
Ed was obsessively devoted to his mother. Henry had voiced disapproval of Augusta’s teachings, possibly criticizing her directly. Ed, desperate to protect the one person he idolized, may have acted violently in response.
4. The Innocent Explanation
On the other hand, some argue Henry’s death truly was accidental. Fires were dangerous, visibility was poor, and the smoke could have caused Henry to collapse. The bruises might have been sustained from falling in rough terrain.
Why Wasn’t There an Investigation?
At the time, Plainfield was a small rural town, and the Gein family wasn’t considered a major threat. Ed was seen as strange but harmless. Authorities likely didn’t suspect foul play and didn’t push for a deeper investigation. In hindsight, given Ed’s later crimes, Henry’s death now looks far more suspicious.
The Shadow of Henry’s Death Cast Over Ed
Henry’s death left Ed alone with his beloved mother, Augusta. But this companionship didn’t last long—Augusta died in 1945, just a year later. Her death devastated Ed. Without his brother or mother, he became completely isolated, living in the family farmhouse. This isolation and obsession with women, death, and body parts spiraled into the grave-robbing and murders that would later make him infamous.
The Lingering Question
So, did Ed Gein kill his brother?
The truth is, we’ll likely never know. Officially, Henry’s death is still listed as an accident. But the strange circumstances—Ed’s ability to lead searchers directly to the body, the unexplained head injuries, and Henry’s conflicts with Augusta—make the case highly suspicious. Many true crime experts believe Henry may have been Ed’s first victim, setting the stage for the horrors that would follow.
Conclusion
The story of Ed Gein continues to shock, not just because of his later crimes, but because of the unanswered questions about his past. Henry’s death may have been an accident—or it may have been Ed’s first step into murder. Either way, it left Ed alone with his dark thoughts and obsessions, leading to crimes that would forever change American culture and horror fiction.
The mystery of whether Ed killed his brother Henry remains one of true crime’s enduring unsolved questions.
