American Horror Story has always been known for its ability to incorporate real-life events and tragedies into its storylines. The show has introduced characters and moments that are eerily similar to their real-world counterparts, adding an extra layer of intrigue for viewers.
One example is the Nurse Murders from the first season of American Horror Story, titled Murder House. In this season, two nursing students in the 1960s are brutally murdered by a man named R. Franklin after they let him into their home. This scene was loosely inspired by the Richard Speck murders. In 1966, Speck broke into a townhome in Chicago that housed nursing students and killed eight of them. He was eventually caught and sentenced to prison.
Another example is Tate’s Shooting at Westfield High, also from Murder House. Tate Langdon, a ghost who was killed in the murder house, is revealed to have brutally murdered 15 students at his high school. This scene bears a striking resemblance to the Columbine High School massacre in 1999. While the details are not exact, the similarities suggest that the Columbine tragedy influenced this storyline.
In the second season of American Horror Story, titled Asylum, there is a character known as Bloody Face. This character, who wears the skin of his victims, is based on the real-life serial killer Ed Gein. Gein was known for his gruesome crimes, including grave robbing and using body parts as household items.
Another storyline from Asylum involves Kit and Alma Walker, a mixed-race couple in the 1960s who claim that Alma was abducted by aliens. This storyline is inspired by the real-life couple Betty and Barney Hill, who claimed to have encountered extraterrestrial beings during a drive home in 1961.
Lastly, in the third season of American Horror Story, titled Coven, there is a character named Papa Legba. He is depicted as the gatekeeper of the spirit world and makes deals with mortals. This character is based on the Lua or spirit of West African and Caribbean Vodou, known for facilitating communication between the living and spirit worlds.
American Horror Story has consistently drawn inspiration from real-life events and tragedies, creating a unique and chilling viewing experience for its audience.
