It is unknown if Ed Gein killed his brother, Henry. In 1944 Henry died in mysterious circumstances during a fire near the family’s secluded farm in Plainfield, Wisconsin. The brothers reportedly had been burning vegetation when the blaze grew out of control. Later that day Ed reported his brother missing to the police, yet he was able to lead them directly to the body. Despite bruises discovered on Henry’s head, the death was ruled an accident, likely from asphyxiation. No autopsy was performed.
People later speculated that Ed killed his brother. Henry and Ed reportedly clashed over their religious and domineering mother. Ed idolized her, while Henry was apparently disturbed by her influence and occasionally confronted her in Ed’s presence. This tension fueled later theories that Ed may have fatally struck Henry in the head and then set a fire to conceal his involvement. However, Ed denied harming his brother, and no evidence emerged to prove otherwise.