Season 3 of the serial-killer Netflix series Monster focuses on the chilling story of Edward Theodore Gein, an American serial killer. Titled Monster: The Ed Gein Story, the ending of the show has led to quite a lot of speculation among viewers. One prominent question that keeps arising is whether Ed Gein and Richard Speck, also known as Birdman, exchanged letters.
Who was Richard Speck, aka Birdman?
Richard Speck, born in Kirkwood, Illinois, on December 6, 1941, was a mass murderer. In July 1966, he violently killed eight student nurses in their residence in South Deering, Chicago. A ninth potential victim survived by hiding and later helped identify him by his tattoo. He apparently got his nickname “Birdman” after he was seen taking care of a sparrow during his time in prison.
A jailhouse videotape recorded resurfaced in May 1996, five years after the death of RIchard Speck. An inmate interviews Speck in this videotape as he confesses to the killings. It also contained videos of Speck engaging in sexual acts and drug use while confined in prison.
Did Ed Gein exchange letters with Richard Speck?
No, in reality, Ed Gein did not exchange letters with Richard Speck. The final episode of the series, titled “The Godfather,” depicts serial killer Ted Bundy’s arrest as a result of Ed Gein’s assistance to the police. However, the events that take place during this episode are not all true. They are meant to merely be a representation of Gein’s mental state. The episode shows a potential connection between Speck and Gein, though no real evidence of any exchange between the two exists.
Monster: The Ed Gein Story does not have the ending of a traditional crime documentary but carries a deeper meaning. It showcases how Gein was schizophrenic and couldn’t tell fact from fiction.
Season 3 of Monster is now streaming on Netflix.
