adeline watkins ed gein

Adeline Watkins was a real acquaintance of infamous serial killer Ed Gein, but the nature of their relationship has conflicting accounts. In a 1957 interview with the Minneapolis Tribune, Watkins initially claimed they had a 20-year romantic relationship and that Gein had proposed to her, describing him as "good and kind and sweet." She said they shared interests such as going to movies, occasional tavern visits, and reading, even discussing murders in the news. She expressed love for him despite turning down his proposal in 1955, citing personal reasons. However, shortly after the interview, Watkins retracted her claims of a long romance, clarifying that their romantic involvement lasted less than a year and was intermittent, describing their relationship more as a friendship. She also denied ever visiting Gein's home where his gruesome crimes were discovered. Watkins maintained that Gein was quiet and polite but distanced herself from him after his criminal activities were revealed. Gein himself never publicly spoke about Watkins. Thus, while Adeline Watkins was connected to Ed Gein and at one point claimed a significant romantic relationship, the true extent appears to be far less intense and likely more platonic or limited than initially reported.