The Butcher of Plainfield

A mild and meek man who was unusually attached to his domineering mother. That’s the story of Ed Gein, who murdered numerous middle-aged women in and around Plainfield, WI in the 1950’s, and whose story inspired the character of Norman Bates. The story of Psycho begins in a dingy, remote cabin, where Gein collected bits and pieces of his subjects and fashioned them into chairs, lampshades, or worse. All his victims were chosen because they reminded him of his mother. When he was buried, this was engraved on the headstone beside his: “Augusta Gein: Mother.” Gein’s story is a chilling beginning to one of the most famous stories in movie history. Support us by supporting our sponsors!©2025 Wondery (P)2025 Wondery