Ed Gein’s Real Life Involvement In The Ted Bundy Case & What ‘Monster’ Changes

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As a true crime buff, I was really intrigued by the latest from Netflix, *Monster: The Ed Gein Story*. It proposes this notorious killer actually *helped* the FBI catch Ted Bundy – which is a wild claim and made me want to dig deeper into what really happened! It’s part of a series created by Ryan Murphy – you might know his work from shows like *Feud* and *American Crime Story* – and like those, it takes a dramatic, fictional approach to telling the stories of some of history’s most infamous criminals.

The eight-part series, *The Ed Gein Story*, chronicles the life of Ed Gein, from his upbringing and relationship with his mother, Augusta, to the crimes he committed – both proven and suspected – in the 1950s. It also covers his time in a mental institution and ultimately, his death. A surprising part of the series depicts Gein assisting the FBI in solving the Ted Bundy case. When exploring the lives of such infamous individuals, understanding the true events surrounding them is crucial.

The Historical Context Behind ‘Monster: The Ed Gein Story’s Ted Bundy Connection


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Despite what you might have heard, Ed Gein wasn’t connected to the Ted Bundy case, and he never worked with FBI profilers. He also didn’t correspond with other famous serial killers. While the movie *Monster: The Ed Gein Story* takes many liberties with the facts, it does offer interesting insights into the time period and the cultural forces at play.

The season finale, “The Godfather,” opens with a disturbing scene referencing Ted Bundy, the notorious serial killer from the 1970s. Staying true to his pattern, Bundy lures a young woman by initially acting friendly and asking for assistance, before suddenly attacking and kidnapping her. The episode, titled after *The Ed Gein Story*, implies that Gein was an early influence on other killers, essentially pioneering the techniques they would later use.

There’s actually no evidence that Ted Bundy, or most of the other serial killers featured in the show, were specifically influenced by Ed Gein. The series tries to portray Gein as a dark influence on American criminals and how crime is depicted in media, but many of these connections are made up.

Ed Gein inspired many iconic horror movies, including *Psycho*, *The Silence of the Lambs*, and *The Texas Chainsaw Massacre*. His crimes also share similarities with those of other notorious killers like Jeffrey Dahmer and Ed Kemper. However, there’s no evidence to suggest anyone publicly praised or admired Gein’s actions.

Why ‘Monster: The Ed Gein Story’ Makes This Up


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The media sensationalized the crimes of Ed Gein, and the series *Monster: The Ed Gein Story* takes this even further, exaggerating his influence with outright fabrications. The series attempts to portray Gein as a pitiable figure, suggesting he was a mentally ill man unable to control his behavior.

The show raises some interesting questions about Ed Gein’s mental state – he was found legally insane and unable to face trial. However, instead of exploring his psychology in detail, the show takes a different path. *The Ed Gein Story* relies on inaccuracies, portraying his horrific crimes as the actions of a merely eccentric and misunderstood man, and unfairly blaming those who came after him.

Including brief appearances by notorious criminals like Charles Manson, Richard Speck, and Ted Bundy doesn’t add anything meaningful to a biography of Ed Gein. It feels like a setup for potential spin-off shows, similar to how Marvel or Star Wars introduce characters for future series.

It’s possible the finale shows Ed Gein’s schizophrenia at work, where he imagines he’s solved the Ted Bundy case. The series hints he might believe he inspired all these killers, which would explain why the investigators want to interview him – it all seems like a delusion of grandeur. This idea is supported by the previous episode, where Gein fantasized about killing a nurse – a scene that turned out to be a product of his imagination.

The show *Monster: The Ed Gein Story* claims Gein committed several murders that were never actually confirmed. It frequently emphasizes the most sensational and shocking possibilities surrounding his life, prioritizing drama over factual accuracy and relying on speculation rather than proof.

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2025-10-16 02:03