Many who knew Schley said he was traumatized by the horror of Gein's crimes, and this, along with the fear of having to testify (especially about assaulting Gein), caused his death.
Mange der kendte ham sagde, at han var så traumatiseret af Geins makabre forbrydelser og angsten for at skulle vidne (især om overfaldet på Gein), at det forårsagede hans tidlige død.