What Happened to Evelyn Hartley? The True Story of Addison Rae's Monster Character and Her Mysterious Disappearance By Samantha Stutsman

One theory about Evelyn Hartley’s disappearance is being told in Netflix’s Monster: The Ed Gein Story.

The third season of Ryan Murphy’s Monster anthology series, which premiered on Oct. 3, explores the life and crimes of Ed Gein (Charlie Hunnam) — the infamous American murderer from Wisconsin. In the show, Addison Rae plays one of Gein’s victims — Evelyn Hartley, a bright, small-town babysitter whose mysterious disappearance becomes a key thread in the series.

While the storyline between Hartley and Gein is fictionalized for dramatic effect, in real life, Hartley disappeared from La Crosse, Wis., on Oct. 24, 1953, per the Winona Daily News. The case remains unsolved, and there’s no evidence linking Gein to her or to many of the other crimes depicted in the show.

By weaving Hartley’s story into the narrative, Murphy explored the fear and paranoia that surrounded rural Wisconsin during the time of Gein’s actual crimes.

So, who is Evelyn Hartley? Here’s everything to know about the Wisconsin teenager and her portrayal in Monster.

Who does Addison Rae play in Monster?

In Monster: The Ed Gein Story, Rae portrays Evelyn Hartley, a bright, well-liked high school student who frequently babysits for the Heller family.

Early in the season, Hartley contracts polio and is hospitalized, leaving the Hellers in need of childcare. At the suggestion of Adeline Watkins (Suzanna Son), Ed Gein — her soft-spoken but eccentric boyfriend — is invited to help around the house and temporarily watch the children.

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At first, the Hellers see Gein as a bit odd, but harmless. That perception quickly shifts when, during one unsettling evening, Gein attempts to entertain the children with a bizarre “magic show” that takes a disturbing turn. Shaken by his behavior, the Hellers fire him on the spot.

The series then shows Gein’s growing obsession with Hartley after she recovers and resumes babysitting duties. Feeling humiliated and rejected, he begins to fixate on her as the person who stole his job.

In the show’s fictionalized events, Gein follows Hartley one evening and abducts her while she’s babysitting, ultimately killing her.

What happened to the real Evelyn Hartley?

In real life, Hartley, a 15-year-old from La Crosse, Wis., disappeared on Oct. 24, 1953, while babysitting the Rasmusen family’s 20-month-old daughter, Janice, per the Winona Daily News. The rest of the family had gone to a La Crosse State College football game, and upon returning, they found police surrounding their home and Hartley missing.

Hartley’s father, Richard, arrived first at the scene, having become concerned when she didn’t check in throughout the evening. Blood was smeared on the exterior and interior of the house, and police found Hartley’s glasses and one shoe left behind. Though signs of a struggle were evident, Janice was unharmed in her crib. A basement window facing a vacant lot was open, with a stepladder nearby, according to the Winona Daily News.

The case gripped La Crosse. Authorities interviewed and administered lie detector tests to students, teachers and even Hartley’s father. Helicopters scanned the woods while locals conducted foot searches. Neighbors reported hearing screams, and one claimed to see a girl in a car with two men. Ultimately, more than 2,000 local male students and teachers were given polygraphs, according to A&E.

Investigators later discovered Hartley’s bloodied undergarments outside the city, along with blood-stained size 11 machinist shoes and a denim jacket too small to belong to the same person. Police suspected that two men were responsible for her abduction, per the Winona Daily News.

Did Ed Gein kill Evelyn Hartley in real life?

After his arrest for the murders of Bernice Worden and Mary Hogan, Gein was questioned about Hartley’s case, as he was visiting a relative a few blocks away from the Rasmussen house at the time of her disappearance.

Gein denied any involvement and passed a lie detector test, according to The Victoria Advocate. Authorities found no evidence linking him to her abduction, per The La Crosse Tribune.

Was Evelyn Hartley ever found?

Hartley’s case remains one of Wisconsin’s most famous unsolved disappearances. Her body was never found.

Public search efforts for Hartley have been supported by organizations such as the Charley Project. In the days following her disappearance, a reward fund was created, eventually totaling $6,600 (or nearly $80,000 today), per A&E.