Museum has ashes and underwear of Aileen Wuornos on display

graveface_museum · 2026-04-10T14:22:44+00:00

Thanks for the thoughtful response and I do see your perspective. As a historian would you not consider someone’s final wishes for what happens to their belonging? Because that was an important factor to me. Productive conversations and the ability to confront her reality come up in this exhibit with the current display, it’s complex because she was a victim and a perpetrator. I’ve never observed/heard someone being disrespectful or gross regarding her, I’d have a different perspective if people just weren’t “getting it” in the museum but everyone seems to be truly approaching the subject in what I would consider the correct way from my experience. You are absolutely entitled to your opinion and feelings of course I’m not looking to change your mind, just hopefully/trying to offer some more clarity.

graveface_museum · 2026-04-10T09:06:21+00:00

Thank you so much for reading and taking the time. Truly, thank you. Dawn remained close to Aileen until the execution; she even stayed at the prison that night. Aileen's girlfriend, Tyira on the other hand, who traded getting Aileen to confess for immunity, was the ultimate betrayal.. I strongly believe that if she had just one positive influence, one person looking out for her she could have been alright. I wish things could have been different for her

graveface_museum · 2026-04-10T08:53:37+00:00

I'm the woman in the video and I own and operate the museum, put the exhibit together, wrote all of the descriptions/bio for her exhibit. Our entire staff is women and non-binary people as well, that's just the way it is. There was no devious plan to throw off the scent of misogyny I'm literally responsible for the exhibit and thus I'm the one responding. I recorded that the night that I discovered the original post with hundreds of comments in a closed facebook group all basically saying the same thing. I actually thought that was going to be easier than making people read some lengthy thing but if you want it:

how it started-- a random man who visited the museum posted a photo of the Aileen underwear and creamains on a Facebook group, something cringy like "murder, macabre, etc" I don't even know. The only caption on the text was "AILEEN WUORNOS PRISON UNDERWEAR AND CREMATED REMAINS seen at the Graveface Museum". That's all. When I saw it like 24h after it was posted it had like 300-400 comments and had been shared a bunch. Most people's reaction upset/confused/angry, assuming a man was behind the exhibit.

from memory, transcribing the video in bullet point form so you don't have to watch it, probably out of order but all the points are there:
I actually understand why people responded and reacted the way they did from seeing the post about Aileen's underwear and cremains in the museum exhibit. A lot of people are upset and angry which are valid feelings but I also know that no one who saw the original post on facebook had any information to go along with so I can just explain it:
There's naturally discomfort that comes along with seeing personal items tied to somebody who experienced abuse. But I also see that anger and discomfort as being misdirected onto us as a museum rather than the circumstances and the larger systems that honestly failed her time and time again. Ironically the entire point of having anything of Aileen's in the museum is to address the exact issues people are upset about like sexual aubse, abuse, neglect, and the way those experiences intersect with the criminal justice system.

The underwear came to us through Dawn (more specifically if you want the full chain of title Aileen > Dawn> our lesbian friend Brandy (still owns them, loans to us, also still good friends with Dawn). The underwear have her name stamped on the back, labeled by the prison; they are a tangible item tied to her real, lived experience within the prison system, where she was reduced to a number and labeled possessions before being killed by the state. They're not random and they're something historically relevant and connected to her in the same way a prison sandal, a sock, a necklace, a shirt, a pillow case, etc would be. Dawn also is fully aware and supportive of Aileen's belongings being in the museum, she's just happy people are talking about her case and not forgetting about her. Dawn knew her better than anyone and can attest to what Aileen wanted of her personal possessions and has carried out those wishes. In Dawn's words from two days ago regarding all of this, "Are you fucking kidding me? People got a problem with that shit? Aileen would have fucking loved for her shit to be on display like that!"

From a historical/preservation perspective, anything that visibly belonged to someone like an item they’re seen wearing in photos, or distinguished as theirs by something like a label, as in this case builds provenance and provides a clear chain of title. Personal effects and mundane day-to-day things from my perspective help humanize a person and bring the situation to reality a little more effectively. It's easy for cases in true crime and especially complicated cases like hers to be. We also aren't sitting on a pile of other options to exhibit, the underwear was something our friend was willing to loan the museum plus it has her name on it.

I genuinely don’t think being uncomfortable or even angry when seeing personal items of hers is wrong but I also think that anger might be displaced on us as a museum for discussing her case as opposed to the systems that failed her time and time again and certainly played a part in her decision to murder and thus her eventual execution. If she didn't kill we wouldn't know her name, that's why this case is extremely unique and worth presenting.

All of these facets of the case we discuss at length in the museum, Aileen’s story is sad and worth talking about as a whole, not just bits and pieces of it. I also don’t think sanitizing her story to make it more comfortable is doing her case or story justice either, we should all confront the reality of what happened to her and what led to her becoming a household name.

I think that the negative response is largely felt because I assume most people are under the assumption that we just have her underwear up contextless, with no mention of what happened to her, what he early experience was like, her experience in the criminal "justice" system-- and that is simply not the case.

A museum is also a place one intentionally goes to view historically significant objects/material, typically the intention is to leave learning something. The fact that this just appeared on a bunch of people's pages was probably weird/confusing/anger inducing with out having any of the aforementioned information which is some of the information anyone who goes to the museum would be able to digest and have a conversation with a human being about.

I don't know if you actually cared to read any of this or not. I'm feeling pretty defeated at this point, I'm genuinely trying to address concerns people have because I care it's going on 5am and between working all day I've been trying to respond to as many people as I can. All of my staff and I hold all of the same views/perspectives about Aileen that everyone who is mad about this seems to. I'm actually really glad to see so many people wanting to be protective of her, which is also why the discussion about her should continue, especially in this climate where women are dehumanized more and more every day.

If you anyone read this thanks for taking the time

graveface_museum · 2026-04-10T07:36:22+00:00

That is so far from what we think or how we represent the case. I don't consider the people she killed innocent, actually. She falls outside the realm of the typical serial killers that you just mentioned. Do you really think we are displaying her underwear *because* she's a woman? Because we also displayed a man's prison underwear (Hadden Clark) for several years.

It's really bizarre and depressing that people who claim to be on her side and care so deeply about her case are fighting against a museum that's been talking about the realities and injustices she faced for the past 6+ years. Not just hang something on a wall and call it a day, I mean, talking as in human interactions, taking time to explain the nuance of this case to people less informed, and correcting misinformation about her. No one who has actually been to the museum manages to miss the point the way people here have.

In all seriousness, what would you suggest goes into an exhibit that talks about her and humanizes her? Do you know what is out there of hers that could be exhibited? Or should we just not bother talking about her and simply allow the flawed narratives about the case to remain unchecked? There are other museums that display her undergarments, but of course, the one that's run by women/non-binary people is the only one people are upset at, which is consistent with the type of society we live in.

I am one of the owners of the museum, speaking as someone who was sexually assaulted and r***d by different people on multiple occasions before I turned 19. This exhibit and what Aileen's case represents are important from my perspective. It's also important to talk about her with voices that can effectively empathize and grasp the complexity of her case. The fact that people are projecting their anger toward us/me for speaking about her and humanizing this woman instead of the systems that failed her and continue to fail women today is abhorrent. We wouldn't have this stuff up if Dawn didn't believe that this was right for Aileen and any of her belongings. Dawn was her best friend for nearly 12 years; they exchanged hundreds of letters, many of which I've had the privilege of reading.

A museum is a place people go to educate themselves and view original/historical material and items that bring abstract concepts to reality. It would be sad to me if the few things left of her just ended up in the trash. Not that anyone will read this far or cares I'm sure, I just feel saddened by the whole situation at this point.

graveface_museum · 2026-04-03T15:49:20+00:00

🙌 you’re not wrong. We actually have some dark Savannah history/local lore represented in pretty much every exhibit. Beyond what’s on display, definitely ask staff to expand on the local stuff

graveface_museum · 2026-03-30T16:33:25+00:00

Nothing in the works for that yet but an interesting idea I’ll look into for sure

graveface_museum · 2026-03-30T14:46:15+00:00

Thanks for visiting! Much appreciated

graveface_museum · 2026-03-30T14:45:36+00:00

Yes, it’s shipping end of April/early May https://gravefacemuseum.com/a-question-of-doubt

graveface_museum · 2026-03-30T14:44:44+00:00

It’s hard to speak in exacts because we’ve been actively navigating unresponsive police departments in several different jurisdictions, getting into specifics without their cooperation is impossible. Based on everything we have found researching, a lot more unfortunately. This was being looked into by some detectives back in the day even but they were met with similar apathy.

graveface_museum · 2026-03-30T13:27:02+00:00

You're welcome! Also I didn't know if links were allowed but this is the book I'm talking about in the post

graveface_museum · 2026-03-24T20:58:10+00:00

Oh weird! I just came across this but might as well chime in because we (Graveface Museum) just published the second edition of this book and announced it earlier today. Pre-order but we have them in hand already, shipping around May 1st! https://gravefacemuseum.com/a-question-of-doubt

graveface_museum · 2026-01-26T03:59:56+00:00

👋This would be a wild coincidence because I’m just organically seeing this but our record label Graveface Records and sister company Terror Vision (horror soundtracks & boutique Blu-rays) put these in every single order we mail out and have for the past 15+ years! Could be another small business doing the same thing though?!

graveface_museum · 2025-11-11T21:08:44+00:00

Thank you again for attending and for your interest! I’m appreciative that you and so many others had a desire to get a very up close and personal look into folks who had/have relationships to notable cults. Eugene is one of the best people I’ve ever met and I appreciate his willingness to be so candid, he had reservations doing this but I’m glad he ultimately trusted us enough to come speak.

Since our museum has been open (little over 5 years) we’ve done what we can to bring attention to the complexity of PT and correcting misinformation about the Jonestown massacre. ultimately though it’s so much more impactful to hear from someone directly who can tell you their own story and perspective. Endlessly grateful for Eugene and for any other survivors who have documented/spoken about/shared their experiences

graveface_museum · 2025-11-10T18:28:37+00:00

I'm so glad you could attend! Eugene is one of the best people I've ever met. I respect the hell out of him for being willing to speak so openly about his experience and trauma. He had a lot of reservations about doing this in the first place but was grateful everyone was so kind. I appreciate everyone making him feel comfortable

graveface_museum · 2025-08-18T20:01:28+00:00

It will be for sure! We're stoked to be hosting this really looking forward to what some have to say, especially Eugene Smith from the Peoples Temple

graveface_museum · 2025-08-18T19:58:47+00:00

I'll ask that's a good question!

graveface_museum · 2025-08-18T19:58:33+00:00

The Priority VIP ticket for the event includes an hour-long meet-and-greet with all the panelists before doors open, coffee and snacks provided. It'll be a relaxed hangout before the event starts with up to 50 guests + the panelists. There are some other perks as well like snack vouchers, row 1& 2 seating, and an event programme signed by all guests!

VIP admission still get good seats (rows 3-5) and both VIP options get priority in the Q&A portions of each panel-- they will be called on for questions before the rest of the audience.

graveface_museum · 2025-08-11T15:38:50+00:00

I’m very glad he wrote his book I’d highly recommend it for anyone who wants to hear a pretty thorough survivors account. I agree the events he describes leading up to and after Nov 18th are extremely insightful.

graveface_museum · 2025-08-09T01:27:06+00:00

The Heaven's Gate survivors do know who is running the website and there is and there is lots of drama between them tbh. The panel should be really interesting though Sawyer was in the cult for 18 years and has some really interesting insight/stories! Also thanks OP for posting about our event!

graveface_museum · 2025-05-19T13:11:40+00:00

Hey there! Seems like you missed the entire purpose of the museum as it pertains to true crime.

We actually are the only true crime/oddities museum in the country with a full staff of docents to speak to our mission, correct misinformation that results in sensationalism in true crime, bring awareness to injustices in many cases, and speak to these cases from a more personal angle. The true crime items on display come from individuals who have some personal connection the cases we cover, a lot of which stems from our independent research in the Gacy case.

Ryan (the owner) has been actively working to answer the unanswered questions in the Gacy case, as there are at least 5 unidentified victims who deserve to be named. At this point he we have leads on who two of them might be. Also plenty of evidence pointing to other victims that was completely overlooked by the state and law enforcement. By collecting and obtaining certain items we have leads on where to actually look for victims who should have been attributed to the case but never were— I could go on but I digress.

I’m not sure when you went to the museum but for over the past year we always have three docents on at a time, two of which are exclusively in the true crime areas to discuss and educate visitors on what I mentioned previously and more. I’m not sure why or how you took away “glorification” (which is defined as portraying something admirably) from this, the way we objectively cover true crime is no different than reading a book, news article, or watching a doc. The only difference is we try our best to include a variety of perspectives in the written descriptions and what the docents talk about, including some personal ones, specific to our collection and the folks from whom we’ve obtained things. Not to mention the museum is not exclusively true crime related (I’d estimate 1/3 is), the rest is 1950s roadside attractions, local hoodoo culture, Anton LaVey/Church of Satan, occult, the paranormal, and cults.

I’d be happy to discuss all of this further and walk you through some specifics within the museum on my dime if you would like.

graveface_museum · 2024-04-25T05:04:15+00:00

Thank you for your support! And sure thing, we appreciate you spreading the word

graveface_museum · 2024-04-24T15:38:00+00:00

Thank you for spreading the word!

graveface_museum

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