Real Name/Secret Identity:
Jame Gumb
Universe/Franchise:
The Silence of the Lambs
First Appearance:
The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Abilities:
Kidnapping, skinning, tailoring
Occupation:
Serial killer
Base of Operations:
Belvedere, Ohio
Dirty Details Done Dirt Cheap:
Jame Gumb is a serial killer whose modus operandi involves kidnapping overweight women and using their skin to make his own "woman suit" in a grotesque and desperate attempt to be "beautiful," taking the concept (or rather, the practice) of transvestitism to a rather gruesome new level. He is nicknamed "Buffalo Bill" when a Kansas City homicide detective makes the observation that "This one likes to skin his humps." The FBI increases its efforts in tracking down Gumb after he kidnaps the daughter of a senator; after FBI rookie Clarice Starling enlists the help of incarcerated serial killer Hannibal Lecter, she succeeds in tracking down Gumb to his lair, where she shoots him dead and rescues the senator's daughter. He is survived by his poodle, Precious.
