Man accused of stalking ex for 13 years had human skulls, John Wayne Gacy brain in a jar, authorities say

MADISON, Wis. (WBAY/Gray News) - A Wisconsin man is accused of stalking a woman for 13 years and was found with human skulls and a jar containing part of John Wayne Gacy’s brain in his home.

Benjamin C. Larson, 47, is charged with one count of stalking.

The victim contacted Madison Police on July 31 reporting that she had dated Larson for nearly two months in 2013 before ending the relationship.

Over the next 13 years, Larson allegedly sent her unsolicited letters, cards and emails, and filed complaints against her with professional licensing boards in multiple states after she refused to respond.

In November 2025, Larson allegedly sent a card to her office stating he would “continue to try contacting” her, adding, “I’m not sure if I need to try calling, or just knock on your door someday.”

The next month, she received a card at her home address, which she had not shared with him — referencing her husband and child by name and indicating he was wandering around Madison as part of his therapy.

On Aug. 14, 2026, detectives executed a search warrant at Larson’s home.

In the basement, investigators discovered a grave rubbing of serial killer Edward Gein, 10 binders labeled “Edward Gein Book,” items from Gein’s grave, and cartridges similar to those used by the Zodiac Killer.

The room also contained a mummy labeled “Princes Taheb 1600 BC,” a jar with a label indicating it contained a piece of John Wayne Gacy’s brain.

Officers also located what appeared to be six human skulls, a partial skull, a human jawbone, and skeletal remains in a glass casket.

In a padlocked bedroom in the basement, officers found a lifelike silicone doll on a bed beneath a blanket, with a painting of a naked female resembling the victim hanging above it.

Investigators also recovered a black portfolio containing 25 pages of Larson’s handwritten journals. In one entry, Larson allegedly wrote about his frustration over the victim’s marriage and child, stating, “it’s at time like this where I really ache to take their skulls, all of them.”

Another entry detailed a night Larson allegedly drove to the victim’s house in Madison dressed in black with gloves and a mask. He wrote that he held a machete while watching the home, recorded her license plate, and took three bags of her garbage.

Officers later found a plastic bin in the bedroom containing items belonging to the victim, including paper towels with dried blue flowers, a lone earring, and discarded soda and beer bottles.

When contacted by law enforcement, Larson claimed his communication was civil and argued that licensing board complaints were suggested by his therapist to get the victim to respond. He added that he now realized her lack of contact was a response itself.

The sheriff’s office said it’s working with a forensic anthropologist to determine whether the remains are authentic and whether they are modern-era remains or archaeological Native American remains.

The sheriff’s office said the forensic anthropologist’s initial physical examination determined that many of the remains are likely ancient Native American in origin; however, several of the skeletal remains require specialized forensic testing at a laboratory to determine their origin.

If convicted, Larson faces up to three years and six months in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.