A Fusion of Serial Killers
James Gumb, aka Buffalo Bill, is a skin-peeling, cold-hearted, kidnapping slayer. To craft such a sinister force, Thomas Harris drew inspiration from several notorious murderers. Buffalo Bill is part Ted Bundy, part Ed Gein, part Jerry Brudos and part Gary Heidnik – all of whom are responsible for ungraspable horrors.
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Bundy, for example, faked being injured so he could get close to his victims and harm them when they least expected it. Killer number two, Ed Gein, in a sickly ingenious fashion, would skin his victims in order to make suits and masks. Lucky number three, Jerry Brudos, would dress up in his victims’ clothing, including shoving his feet halfway into their stilettos. And lastly, Gary Heidnik, would lure women into his home and keep them prisoners in his basement.