Man accused of stalking woman for 13 years had human skulls and part of John Wayne Gacy’s brain in his home: police
A Wisconsin man accused of stalking his ex-girlfriend for more than a decade was allegedly found with a disturbing collection of human skulls, skeletal remains and a jar purportedly containing part of serial killer John Wayne Gacy’s brain.
Benjamin C. Larson, 47, of Fond du Lac, is facing a felony stalking charge in Dane County after the woman contacted Madison police on July 31 and reported what she said was years of unwanted contact following their brief relationship in 2013, according to a criminal complaint obtained by WBAY.
The woman told investigators she dated Larson for nearly two months before ending the relationship. Larson allegedly continued to attempt to contact her for the next 13 years through unsolicited letters, cards and emails. He also allegedly filed complaints against her with professional licensing boards in several states after she stopped responding.
In November 2025, Larson allegedly sent a card to the woman’s workplace saying he would “continue to try contacting” her or show up at her home. A month later, he allegedly sent another card to her home, an address she said she never gave him, referencing her husband and child by name. It also allegedly indicated he was wandering around Madison as part of his therapy.
The allegations became even more disturbing after detectives executed a search warrant at Larson’s home on August 14.
Investigators said they discovered an extensive collection in the basement, including a grave rubbing connected to serial killer Edward Gein, 10 binders labeled “Edward Gein Book” and items reportedly taken from Gein’s grave.They also found cartridges similar to those used by the Zodiac Killer, according to the search findings, WBAY reports.
Among the items were a mummy labeled “Princes Taheb 1600 BC” and a jar labeled as containing a piece of Gacy’s brain. Gacy was executed in 1994 after being convicted of murdering 33 boys and young men in Illinois.
What appeared to be six human skulls, a partial skull, a human jawbone and additional skeletal remains were also found inside a glass casket, according to authorities.
The remains’ origins are still unclear. A forensic anthropologist is examining them to determine their authenticity and whether they are modern or ancient Native American remains, WBAY reports.
Inside a padlocked basement bedroom, investigators further found a lifelike silicone doll lying beneath a blanket on a bed, with a painting of a naked woman resembling the alleged stalking victim hanging above it.
A black portfolio found during the search reportedly contained 25 pages of handwritten journals belonging to Larson. In one entry, he allegedly wrote about his frustration over the woman’s marriage and child, saying, “it’s at times like this where I really ache to take their skulls, all of them.”
In another entry, Larson allegedly described driving to the woman’s Madison home at night dressed in black, wearing gloves and a mask. He wrote that he watched the house while carrying a machete, recorded her license plate and took three bags of her trash. Officers later found a plastic bin in his bedroom containing items belonging to the woman, including paper towels with dried blue flowers, a single earring, and discarded soda and beer bottles.
When questioned by police, Larson said his contact with the woman was civil and that his therapist suggested the licensing complaints to get her to respond. He said he now understood that her silence was an answer itself, WBAY reports.
Larson has been charged with one count of stalking. If convicted, he faces up to three years and six months in prison and a fine of up to $10,000, according to authorities.
