A Wisconsin stalking investigation has spiralled into a much larger criminal case after investigators searching the rural home of 47-year-old Benjamin C. Larson reportedly discovered numerous human skulls and skeletal remains, disturbing writings, serial-killer memorabilia and personal material connected to the woman he is accused of stalking for more than a decade.
Among the most shocking discoveries was a jar labelled as containing “a piece of John Wayne Gacy’s brain.” But there is an important catch: authorities have not confirmed that the material inside the jar is actually Gacy’s brain. At the same time, investigators are still working to determine where the other human remains came from — and whether any laws were broken in obtaining them.
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Wisconsin stalking case allegedly began after a short relationship in 2013
According to the Dane County criminal complaint, the case began with a relationship that lasted roughly two months in 2013.
The woman later told Madison police that the relationship had been intense and that Larson had shown an interest in death, gore and Wisconsin serial killer Ed Gein.
After she ended the relationship, however, investigators say the contact did not stop.
The woman reportedly told police that Larson continued trying to reach her through letters, cards, emails and gifts. Even after she moved to Canada, the alleged attempts to communicate continued.
Investigators also said Larson filed complaints involving the woman with professional licensing boards in multiple states after she failed to respond to him.
Then, according to the complaint, the alleged behaviour intensified again in 2025.
Larson allegedly sent a card to the woman’s home and referred to her husband and child by name — despite the woman never having provided him with her address.
The investigation also documented material that allegedly connected Larson to information about the woman and her family.
Perhaps one of the most disturbing allegations came from the woman’s account of why she ultimately ended the relationship. She told police Larson allegedly called her while holding a gun to his own head.
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August 14 search of Benjamin Larson’s Wisconsin home changes the investigation
The case took a dramatic turn on August 14, when Madison police and Fond du Lac County sheriff’s detectives executed a search warrant at Larson’s rural residence in the Town of Taycheedah, Fond du Lac County.
What investigators reportedly found went far beyond the original stalking allegations.
According to the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office, detectives discovered books, documents and memorabilia concerning murders and serial killers. They also found skeletal remains, including what appeared to be numerous human skulls.
At that point, investigators faced a new question: Where had the remains come from?
Because the discovery appeared to be separate from the original stalking investigation, Fond du Lac County investigators obtained another search warrant and seized the remains and additional material for examination.
The investigation then brought in specialists from several organisations, including a forensic anthropologist associated with the Wisconsin Crime Lab, the Wisconsin Historical Society, the Wisconsin Inter-Tribal Repatriation Committee and specialised laboratories.
| Date | Key development |
| 2013 | Larson and the alleged victim reportedly date for about two months |
| July 31, 2026 | Woman contacts Madison police about alleged long-term unwanted contact |
| August 14, 2026 | Search of Larson’s home uncovers skeletal remains and serial-killer memorabilia |
| August 18, 2026 | Dane County stalking charge filed |
| August 31, 2026 | Larson arrested again as Fond du Lac investigation develops |
| September 2, 2026 | Five Fond du Lac County charges formally filed |
| September 4, 2026 | Judge rejects motion to dismiss; Larson waives preliminary hearing |
| September 11, 2026 | Larson scheduled back in Dane County court |
| September 28, 2026 | Fond du Lac County arraignment expected |
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Some skulls were identified as Native American archaeological remains
The forensic examination produced an important distinction that has become central to the case.
Authorities established that at least some of the remains were archaeological Native American remains.
Three skulls were identified as Native American archaeological remains, while additional skulls and bones required further testing.
Investigators also reported that some bones appeared to still have soft tissue attached.
A forensic anthropologist reportedly identified a tooth containing what appeared to be a modern filling. Another femur showed signs of having been cut or damaged with a handsaw.
Those findings raised further questions about the age, origin and history of the remaining specimens.
But there is a crucial legal and factual boundary here: authorities have not said that Larson killed anyone.
They have also not established that the remains belonged to murder victims.
That distinction matters because the discovery of human remains inside a suspect’s property can be shocking without automatically proving a homicide.
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The alleged John Wayne Gacy brain may be even stranger than it sounds
Then investigators encountered one of the case’s most headline-grabbing objects.
A jar found among the serial-killer memorabilia reportedly carried a sign stating that it contained “a piece of John Wayne Gacy’s brain.”
The claim is undeniably sensational — but it remains just that: a claim.
Authorities have not authenticated the contents as brain tissue belonging to John Wayne Gacy. The evidence establishes that investigators found a jar labelled or purported to contain part of Gacy’s brain. It does not establish that the label was truthful or that the material came from Gacy.
The same uncertainty applies to other alleged serial-killer memorabilia recovered from the property.
Investigators reportedly found material relating to Ed Gein, including a grave rubbing and items described as coming from Gein’s grave or former home.
They also documented binders devoted to Gein, ammunition displayed as being associated with the Zodiac Killer and containers labelled with the names of poisons including arsenic, cyanide and ricin.
The provenance of these objects remains part of the investigation.
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A padlocked basement room allegedly contained writings about the woman
If the skulls and serial-killer collection were disturbing, investigators reportedly found another layer of the case inside a padlocked room in Larson’s basement.
According to the Dane County criminal complaint, the room contained images of women, human remains and material connected to the woman at the centre of the stalking allegations.
A lifelike silicone female doll was reportedly discovered there, along with personal belongings and writings concerning the alleged victim.
Some of the alleged writings are particularly disturbing.
“It’s at times like this where I really ache to take their skulls, all of them.”
Another passage allegedly described Larson travelling to the woman’s home dressed in black while carrying a machete.
Investigators also reportedly found writings in which Larson portrayed himself as watching or investigating the woman.
One passage allegedly described him as being “like a shark, investigating its unknowing prey.”
The complaint further alleges that Larson retained correspondence and other personal objects connected to his former relationship with the woman.
Investigators say he wrote extensively about his frustration with her marriage and family and kept material associated with her for years after the relationship ended.
Investigators questioned Larson’s explanations for the human remains
As the investigation progressed, authorities began trying to establish exactly how Larson obtained the skulls and other bones.
According to the later Fond du Lac County criminal complaint, Larson initially gave investigators explanations about where some of the remains came from.
Investigators attempted to verify those accounts but reportedly encountered discrepancies. Some businesses he allegedly identified either had not sold him the items or could not corroborate his claims.
Larson allegedly later described some remains as family heirlooms.
Investigators also learned that Larson had previously been involved with Native American remains and archaeological sites.
The complaint says Larson acknowledged going to tribal land where remains had previously been reburied and admitted to digging “slightly” at the site.
Authorities ultimately said they could not identify a legal avenue by which Larson could have obtained three Native American skulls and other remains, with the possible exception of one specimen.
The complaint alleges that the three Native American skulls were illegally obtained or stolen.
Because Native American human remains and sacred burial sites are protected under federal and state laws, the investigation carries implications extending beyond the individual criminal charges.
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Larson now faces separate stalking and remains-related charges
The original stalking case was filed in Dane County on August 18.
Larson was charged with one count of felony stalking, a Class I felony.
He initially posted $15,000 cash bail and was released under conditions that included restrictions on contacting the alleged victim and entering Dane County except for court-related purposes. He was also placed under GPS monitoring.
That situation changed on August 31.
Fond du Lac County authorities arrested Larson again while their investigation into the remains continued.
He was initially booked on three counts of receiving stolen property and felony bail jumping, along with additional allegations developing in the case.
By September 2, Larson formally faced five charges in Fond du Lac County: three felony counts involving receiving/concealing stolen property, felony bail jumping and obstructing an officer.
A judge set his cash bond at $250,000.
Judge allows Wisconsin skulls case to move toward trial
Larson’s defence later attempted to have the remains-related charges dismissed.
During the September 4 proceedings, his defence argued, among other things, that prosecutors had not identified an owner of the skulls and that human remains could not legally qualify as “property” for the purposes of the stolen-property charges.
The judge rejected the effort to dismiss the case.
Larson then waived his preliminary hearing and was bound over for trial.
His next Fond du Lac County court date is scheduled for September 28, when he is expected to be arraigned.
Importantly, the ruling does not establish that Larson stole the remains. It means prosecutors’ case can continue and that the charges survived the preliminary procedural challenge.
Separately, the original Dane County stalking case remains pending, with Larson scheduled to return to court on September 11.
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District Attorney calls allegations “beyond disturbing”
Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney has described the allegations as deeply troubling.
In a statement released while investigators continued examining the remains, Toney said:
“The allegations in the Dane County criminal complaint against Benjamin Larson are beyond disturbing.”
He also criticised the initial bail imposed in the stalking case, describing it as “shockingly low” in light of the allegations.
Following the September 4 hearing, Toney said:
“We will continue to work with law enforcement partners to protect sacred Tribal burial remains and the overall protection of our community.”
Toney has emphasised that the investigation remains active.
What investigators still do not know about the skulls and alleged Gacy brain
For all the shocking details surrounding the case, some of its biggest questions remain unanswered.
Authorities have not established the identities or complete origins of all the skeletal remains. Some have been identified as likely ancient Native American remains, while other specimens require additional forensic analysis.
There is also currently no public evidence establishing that Larson is responsible for any homicide.
The alleged Gacy brain remains unverified as well. Investigators found a jar labelled as containing part of John Wayne Gacy’s brain, but authorities have not confirmed that the contents are actually brain tissue from Gacy.
Likewise, the provenance of other serial-killer memorabilia remains under investigation.
The ongoing work involves law enforcement as well as forensic, historical and specialist organisations attempting to determine the origin and legal status of the remains.
Wisconsin stalking and human remains investigation remains active
The Benjamin Larson case now consists of two related but legally distinct proceedings.
In Fond du Lac County, Larson is proceeding toward trial on the remains-related charges following the September 4 ruling, with an arraignment expected on September 28.
In Dane County, the original felony stalking case remains pending, with a September 11 court appearance scheduled.
The allegations paint an extraordinarily disturbing picture, but several of the most sensational claims remain unproven. The skulls do not establish a homicide, the alleged Gacy brain has not been authenticated, and the criminal charges themselves remain allegations.
Larson is presumed innocent unless and until he is convicted in court.
Disclaimer and sources
This article is based on a thorough review of the criminal complaints, law-enforcement statements and court reporting provided for this report, including information from the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office, Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney, WBAY, WISN, NBC 26, FOX6 Milwaukee, TMJ4 and True Crime News. The story reflects information available as of September 7, 2026. Some facts — particularly the origin of certain remains and the authenticity of the material labelled as John Wayne Gacy’s brain — remain under investigation and have not been conclusively established. All allegations against Benjamin Larson remain unproven, and he is presumed innocent unless and until convicted.
Sources
- Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office investigation release / Sheriff Ryan Waldschmidt statement
- Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney — investigation and court updates
- WBAY — Judge denies motion to dismiss charges in Fond du Lac skulls case
- WBAY — Investigation into Benjamin Larson and forensic examination of remains
- WISN — Skulls, serial-killer shrines found in home; Larson to stand trial
- NBC 26 — Human remains found in Fond du Lac home
- FOX6 Milwaukee — Fond du Lac County human skeletal remains investigation
- TMJ4 — Fond du Lac man charged in stalking case had Native human remains inside home
- WISN — Possible human remains found in Fond du Lac home
- True Crime News — Original report supplied for fact-checking
Featured Image Credit: Dane County Sheriff’s Office
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