Is all fiction based on reality? Well the antagonist in Silence of the Lambs certainly is. Buffalo Bill, the murderer who lures women into his van, keeps them locked in a well in his house and then skins them before killing them to make a full body human body suit for himself is an amalgamation of three legendary American serial killers of the 20th century. Gary Heidnick was infamous for keeping his victims locked in a pit. Ed Gein skinned his victims. And Ted Bundy used to wear a cast on his arm to lure victims into his car.