Wait, did Ed Gein really help catch Ted Bundy?
That is the question at the top of every mind viewer’s mind after finishing Monster: The Ed Gein Story and seeing the show make some wild assertions about the role Gein (Charlie Hunnam) had in catching another real-life serial killer.
**Spoilers ahead for the season finale of Monster: The Ed Gein Story**
In the eighth and final episode of Ryan Murphy’s horror anthology series — focused this season on Gein, also known as the “Butcher of Plainfield” and the “Plainfield Ghoul” — Gein is living out his days in a mental asylum after being caught for the murders and dismemberment of his victims. While locked away, he takes a visit from three FBI agents and helps to track down Ted Bundy, bringing an end to his now infamous killing spree. But hold on, how accurate is this, though? Did Gein really help the FBI catch one of the most prolific murderers in American history? Well, here’s the truth…
No, there is no proof or evidence that Gein had any role in bringing Bundy to justice. While the show is clearly inspired by the real events of Gein’s life — including his crimes and the relationship he allegedly had with his mother (Laurie Metcalf) — certain parts are believed to be mostly fabricated. In fact, while many parts are true, it’s best to take much of the final episode, “The Godfather,” with a grain of salt.
In the finale, as Gein is locked away at an institution, he meets with three FBI agents with the then newly created Behavioral Analysis Unit, who are hoping he can provide them with insight on a mysterious murderer who has made a habit out of raping and killing young women in the Pacific Northwest. This, of course, is in reference to Ted Bundy (John T. O’Brien), who kidnapped, raped, and murdered dozens of young women from 1974 to 1978.
During their investigation, the FBI agents — who inspired Netflix’s Mindhunter — also talk with Jerry Brudos (Happy Anderson), hoping to get information on the ways of a killer that could lead to Bundy’s capture. In the same episode, we’re also introduced to Richard “Birdman” Speck (Tobias Jelinek), who killed eight nursing students in Illinois in the 1960s. The show uses Speck as a kind of sycophant to Gein, having him write letters saying that Gein inspired him in his own murders.
In turn, this relationship — which the show makes up almost entirely — leads to Speck sharing a letter that Bundy had written him, saying that he hoped to carry out a crime similar to Speck’s. At this, Gein reaches back out to the FBI and shares the identifying details, including that the mysterious killer drives a Volkswagen Beetle and goes by “Ted” or “Teddy.” Parts of this are true, including that Bundy drove a 1968 Volkswagen Beetle and would go by several variations of Theodore, but his relation to Gein and Speck in the show appears to be added for dramatic effect.
While Gein did not help capture the infamous American murderer — or at least as far as the public knows, that is — he was around to watch as Bundy was caught, ending his reign of terror that spanned nearly half a decade and several states; Bundy was arrested in Florida in 1978 and Gein did not die until 1984. Aside from that, there is no major connection between the two.
Monster: The Ed Gein Story is now streaming on Netflix.