Nearly 50 years after Ed Gein’s shocking crimes came to light, the Netflix series Monster: The Ed Gein Story has reignited curiosity about the Wisconsin killer’s alleged romantic partner, Adeline Watkins. Played by The Idol actress Suzanna Son, Watkins is shown as a woman who saw kindness in one of America’s most infamous murderers, but her real-life story is far more complicated.
Who was Monster: The Ed Gein Story’s Adeline Watkins?
Adeline Watkins was a 50-year-old woman from Plainfield, Wisconsin, who became a surprising part of the Ed Gein case following his arrest in 1957. While the world reeled from the horrors discovered inside Gein’s farmhouse — furniture, masks, and clothing made from human remains — Watkins stepped forward, claiming she had been romantically involved with him for two decades.
Watkins described Gein to The Minneapolis Tribune as “good and sweet and kind.” She and her mother both painted a picture of a polite man who enjoyed movies and milkshakes more than taverns or nightlife. Watkins even claimed that Gein once proposed to her in 1955, two years before his arrest, but she turned him down, not out of fear, but because she felt unworthy of him.
Their supposed connection fascinated the public, offering a softer contrast to Gein’s monstrous image.
What did Adeline Watkins say about Ed Gein?
Initially, Watkins told reporters that she and Gein shared a 20-year romance, recalling evenings at the movies and late-night conversations about books. She emphasized his intelligence and sensitivity, saying they often discussed world topics and even analyzed murder cases they read about.
However, as media attention exploded, Watkins quickly retracted her claims. In a statement to The Plainfield Sun, she clarified that her relationship with Gein was purely platonic. Basically, he was a “quiet and polite” acquaintance who occasionally visited her home or accompanied her to the theater. Watkins insisted that she never described him as “sweet” or said she had to “drag him into taverns,” suggesting her earlier remarks were exaggerated or misquoted. (via People)
She admitted she felt sorry for Gein but firmly denied being his sweetheart, as per reports. Whether Watkins fabricated parts of her story for attention or was misunderstood by the press remains uncertain, but her brief involvement made her a lasting part of Ed Gein’s story.
