As a child, Wisconsinite Ed Gein is subjected to physical and psychological abuse at the hands of his religious fanatic mother, Augusta, and his alcoholic father, George. A year after his father dies, Ed goes out hunting with his older brother, Henry, and the two get into an argument over Henry wanting to leave home and Ed's devotion to Augusta. When Henry insults their mother, Ed flies into a rage and buttstrokes him; regaining his senses as Henry collapses, Ed panics and sets a fire, which Henry's "accidental" death is blamed on.