Did Ed Gein help capture Ted Bundy? Monster: The Ed Gein Story ending explained

*Warning: May contains spoilers for Monster: The Ed Gein Story*

Netflix's latest true crime series has been released, and as fans binge-watch the new show, some have been left scared to continue.

The highly anticipated Monster: The Ed Gein Story was released on Friday (October 3), focusing on serial killer Ed Gein.

• Ed Gein's real-life 'girlfriend' refused killer's marriage proposal for bizarre reason
• Family check into Airbnb and leave almost immediately after horrifying find

It is the follow-up to the hit anthology's recreation of the cases involving the Menendez brothers and Jeffrey Dahmer, and stars Charlie Hunnam as Ed Gein.

The eight-episode series has become a hit with fans, with some viewers only just realising Gein's disturbing crimes have actually served as inspiration for a number of classic horror movies, including The Silence of the Lambs and Psycho.

However, opinions appear to be divided over the show's ending, with some feeling "confused" about what may be real and what may be fake. Taking to Reddit, one user said: "This is the most I’ve ever googled/questions during a show."

Another wrote: "I could forgive all this if it's revealed at the end that it's all fantasy and myth."

A third added, "I'm super confused. And disappointed."

Monster: The Ed Gein Story ending explained

The new series takes viewers on a journey of how Gein's crimes influenced popular horror films, but the final episode also reveals how his crimes had an impact on serial killers and crimes.

During the final episode, Gein finds a "new purpose" as he helps investigators crack a disturbing case, as Netflix teases: "But as the past and present blur, his terrifying legacy looms larger than ever."

Through his fantasies, the episode shows Gein helping FBI agents catch killer Ted Bundy, which hospital nurses "take in stride".

Being terminally ill in hospital, Gein is confronted by his girlfriend Adeline one final time as she tells him she will continue his work, to which he rejects. However, in reality, although Adeline Watkins is a real person, Gein has never revealed any details about being involved with her.

Contrary to what she claims, as she confesses to having had a long-term relationship with Gein spanning 20 years.

Towards the end of his life, Gein visions many killers he inspired as they provide praise.

Co-creator Ian Brennan told Netflix's Tudum: "It’s a really interesting sort of atonal note that we hit at the end, which I think in a way is right, because we’ve been with him for so long, but he’s also a ghoul. He’s also this deeply strange man who did really, really dark things that changed our culture."

The final episode also nods to cultural influences, as Ed Gein ultimately dies, but some fans remain confused.

Did Ed Gein help capture Ted Bundy?

One fact that has fans confused is whether Ed Gein actually helped capture Ted Bundy. However, this is false and another representation of the mental illness and inability to separate fact and fiction.

In reality, Ted Bundy was arrested after trying to escape a patrol car before officers later connected him to his heinous crimes.

How many people did Ed Gein actually kill?

Ed Gein actually confessed to killing two people, including 58-year-old Plainfield hardware store owner Bernice Worden, and 51-year-old tavern owner Mary Hogan.

Both of whom he killed with a firearm and not a chainsaw. However, his other crimes also included grave robbing, digging up bodies, and turning parts of them into various items which were found in his home.

Ed Gein's voice

Some fans have also questioned whether Charlie Hunnam's portrayal actually represents Ed Gein's real voice. According to Netflix's Tudum, the voice Hunnam chose for his interpretation was inspired by an audio tape of Gein himself, recorded upon his arrest.

Hunnam said: "The tape has never been released because they didn’t read Ed’s Miranda rights before they conducted this interview. So it was always thought that that tape would be inadmissible."

Hunnam’s portrayal, especially his high-pitched voice, was also informed by Gein’s unhealthy relationship with his mother, Tudum reported.

Monster: The Ed Gein Story is streaming on Netflix.