- The hit Netflix series “Monster: The Ed Gein Story” portrays a fictional correspondence between Ed Gein and fellow killer Richard “Birdman” Speck.
- In the show’s final episode, Speck is shown idolizing Gein and writing to him while both are incarcerated.
- This storyline is confirmed to be a “creative liberty” taken by the showrunners, meaning the letter exchange did not actually happen.
- The series uses this fictional element to position Gein as a template for future serial killers.
Did Netflix Fabricate a Key ‘Monster’ Storyline?
The popular Netflix true-crime series “Monster: The Ed Gein Story” has captivated audiences, but one of its most compelling late-series plot points is pure fiction. The show depicts a chilling correspondence between Wisconsin’s infamous murderer Ed Gein and the notorious mass murderer Richard “Birdman” Speck, a storyline that has left viewers wondering about its authenticity.
The Fictional Correspondence
In the final episodes of the series, the narrative introduces Richard “Birdman” Speck, who is portrayed as a devoted admirer of Gein. The show imagines a scenario where Speck, from his own prison cell, writes letters to the confined Gein, professing his idolization. This creative choice aims to frame Gein as a dark inspiration for the serial killers who followed him.
Separating Fact From Fiction
While the show blends historical facts with dramatic embellishments, the letter exchange between these two infamous criminals falls squarely into the latter category. The source material explicitly labels this arc as one of the “many creative liberties” taken by the show’s creators. There is no historical evidence to suggest that Gein and Speck ever communicated or that Speck considered Gein an idol. This fictional element serves a narrative purpose, highlighting Gein’s impact on criminal history, but it’s a detail that exists only on screen.
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