When police first entered the home of Ed Gein they had no idea what they were about to discover.   What they would find would shock and terrify a nation.  A complete search of the property took place and hundreds of gruesome items of interest were entered into evidence.   You can see an entire list of evidence discovered in the Gein’s Farmhouse here. 

The photographic documentation of this discovery would become a crucial part of both the criminal investigation and the historical record, providing irrefutable evidence of crimes that shocked the nation and continue to influence popular culture today.    The most comprehensive photographic record of the Ed Gein crime scene was captured by Frank Scherschel, a veteran photographer for LIFE magazine. Scherschel, who had previously covered World War II combat operations and other major news events, arrived at the scene in November 1957 as news of the gruesome discovery spread across the nation.

Crime Scene Photo – Ed Gein’s Kitchen

When investigators began searching Ed Gein’s kitchen it was in a state of total filth and clutter.

• Multiple images show the “utterly chaotic kitchen where parts of Gein’s victim’s bodies were found”
• Photographs reveal the “junk-littered kitchen where human skulls, various body parts, and the butchered body of Mrs. Bernice Worden were discovered”
• Images document the filthy, cluttered conditions where evidence was scattered among household debris

Crime Scene Photo – Ed Gein’s Mother’s Bedroom

Despite the house being filthy, Ed Gein kept his mother’s room in perfect condition and exactly as it was the day she died on December 29th, 1945 when she was 67 years old.  Two years later, Gein would begin his grave robbing crimes digging up corpses of women that had recently died and bore a resemblance of his mother.    This scene would inspire the famous Alfred Hitchcock movie Psycho where the main character, Norman Gates could hear the voice of his dead mother in her rocking chair.

Removing the Chair Upholstered in Human Skin

Police discovered among evidence in the home a dining room chair where the seat has been covered with human skin.   With no DNA capabilities, it was never determined who’s flesh was used on the chair.

A Tongue Necklace Found in Ed Gein’s Home

Among some of the gruesome discoveries in Ed Gein’s home was a necklace made out of tongues.

Display of Evidence by Local Police

Police during a press conference displaying a table full of evidence found in the Gein farmhouse that showed shrunken heads, a lamp shade made out of human skin, human body parts on other evidence that demonstrated the demented nature of Ed Gein’s crimes.

See the entire archive of the Ed Gein Crime Scene Photos located in our gallery here.