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Rosewood, Jack. Jeffrey Dahmer A Terrifying True Story Of Rape, Murder & Cannibalism (The Serial Killer Books). 2016.

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Jeffery Lionel Dahmer was born on May 21, 1960, in West Allis, Wisconsin. His parents, Joyce and Lionel Dahmer, were often not around during his early years. Lionel was studying, and Joyce, while physically present, struggled to bond with Jeffery. Despite this, the Dahmer family appeared normal. Unlike many serial killers, Dahmer did not experience extreme abuse or have parents involved in criminal activities.

Quote #1

"'Things may not have been ideal in the Dahmer household, but as Jeffrey Dahmer himself admitted, "It really wasn't a terrible childhood though.'" (7)

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Shortly after the Dahmers moved to Ohio, Jeff developed a strong fascination with dead animals. Unlike many future serial killers, his interest didn't involve killing animals; he was more curious about their anatomy. Jeff found animal carcasses in the woods near his home and brought them back to dissect. Because Lionel had a scientific background, he didn't see Jeff's behavior as alarming; instead, he viewed it as an early interest in chemistry and biology. Lionel even taught Jeff how to safely bleach animal bones, a skill Jeff would later use on the bones of his victims.

Quote #2

"Dahmer admitted years later, that the fascination began innocently enough, but over time, the fascination turned into his obsession." (10)

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During teen years, many individuals experience challenges, but for Jeffery Dahmer, this period marked the development of his disturbing psychotic tendencies. Attending Revere High School in Bath, Ohio, Dahmer was known for his humor and active social life. However, the dissections in his biology class triggered dark impulses within him. As he went through puberty, he learned that he was a homosexual and developed an alcohol addiction, Dahmer's thoughts became consumed by violent and sexual fantasies. Despite his desires, his lack of criminal experience prevented him from acting on them. Just before graduating in 1978, Dahmer's parents' divorce left him isolated at home, now Dahmer was free to do his future atrocities.

Quote #3

"Underneath all the jokes and pranks, was a confused, angry young man who was waiting for the right circumstances in order to make his homicidal fantasies a reality." (19)

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Joyce and Lionel Dahmer rarely visited Jeff after they moved out of their family home. However, Jeff didn't view this as a problem; instead, he saw it as a positive opportunity to indulge in drinking whenever he pleased. On June 18, 1978, Jeffery Dahmer's day began like any other. He woke up and started drinking in the morning, but soon realized that his alcohol supply was running low. Consequently, he decided to go out and purchase more. On his way back from the store, Dahmer had a near-accident when he spotted an attractive young male hitchhiking. This young man happened to be 18-year-old Steven Hicks, who was on his way to a rock concert. Dahmer pulled over and offered Hicks a ride. Given Hicks' was known for being street-smart, his decision to willingly accompany Dahmer back to his house seemed rather unusual. Once they were both inside, they began drinking together. As Hicks grew tired of Dahmer's company and attempted to leave, Dahmer tried to prevent him from doing so. In response, Hicks pushed Dahmer away and turned his back to exit through the door. Seizing the opportunity, Dahmer struck Hicks in the back of the head with a ten-pound dumbbell, instantly killing him and leaving Dahmer with a lifeless body. It was at this moment that Dahmer realized he could now spend as much time as he desired with Hicks' corpse.

Quote #4

"After he was arrested in 1991, Dahmer told Ohio investigators that he laid next to Hicks' body for quite some time before he became sexually aroused and masturbated." (23)

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Lionel was disappointed to see the mess of empty beer cans and liquor bottles scattered around the Dahmer family home upon his return. Despite knowing his son's potential, he found himself in heated arguments with Dahmer, eventually convincing him to enroll at Ohio State University. However, instead of focusing on his studies, Dahmer's mind was consumed by homicidal fantasies, leading him to spend his days drinking alone in his dorm. The situation escalated when Lionel paid a surprise visit to Jeffrey's dorm room and discovered the extent of his son's drinking. It became clear to Lionel that college was not the right path for his son.

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Dahmer decided to join the army in early 1979, just after turning 18, to leave behind the difficulties he encountered at home and seek a purposeful and structured life. He was assigned to Germany, where his conduct gradually declined, ultimately resulting in his dismissal from the Army in 1981. While he was in the army, he raped multiple people.

Quote #5

"'I had probably been raped eight-to-ten times, I don't know. He was tying me to the bunk with motor-pool rope,'" (31)

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Lion believed that if he sent Jeffrey to live with his Grandma, it would give him a sense of purpose in his life. Jeffrey Dahmer's time living with his grandmother, which was a significant period in his life. After getting discharged from the army, Dahmer moved in with his grandmother during his teenage years. This was a relatively stable time for him, as his grandmother provided a more structured environment compared to his family life because he kept up chores and providing company. However, Dahmer's disturbing urges continued to develop during this period, eventually leading to his later crimes.

Quote #6

"Lionel believed that sending Jeffrey to live with his Grandma Dahmer in West Allis, would give the listless young man a sense of purpose in his life." (37)

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On August 7, 1982, Jeffrey Dahmer experienced his first encounter with the law regarding a sexual offense while attending a fair. During the afternoon, while under the influence of heavy intoxication, Dahmer made his way towards the fairgrounds. His suppressed sexual and sadistic feelings were surfacing. It was during this time that Dahmer exposed his genitals to a large gathering of women and children, seeking to satisfy his desires. Shortly after this indecent act, police intervened and arrested him. Initially, he faced charges related to a sex crime, but these were later reduced to drunk and disorderly conduct, resulting in a 50-dollar fine.

Quote #7
"Dahmer's brush with the law taught him two things: the justice system was not holding him accountable, and he needed to find new ways to satiate his desires." (41)

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On the night of September 15, 1987, Dahmer encountered Steve Tuomi at Club 219, a well-known gay bar in Milwaukee. Following a few rounds of drinks, Dahmer suggested that they continue their drinking at a nearby motel. Eventually, they arrived at the Ambassador Hotel, in downtown Milwaukee close to Marquette University's campus. Tragically, Steve Tuomi did not survive his stay at the hotel. Initially, Dahmer intended to intoxicate Tuomi with drugs and engage in sexual activities while he was unconscious, with no intention of causing harm. However, due to excessive alcohol consumption, Dahmer fell into a deep slumber before he could add any substances to Tuomi's drink. Upon awakening the next morning, Dahmer was confronted with the lifeless body of Tuomi lying beside him. Shockingly, Tuomi's chest was crushed, and blood was coming from his mouth. In anger, Dahmer beat and strangled Tuomi to his demise. Subsequently, Dahmer transported Tuomi's lifeless body to his grandmother's residence, where he commenced gruesome activities to Tuomi's body.

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In 1988, Jeffrey Dahmer entered a phase of being a fully psychotic serial killer. At this time, he had developed, though not completely perfect, his method of operations has improved. Dahmer would lure young men from gay bars to his grandma's residence, where he would drug and kill them. The basement of his grandmother, which she did not use, became Dahmer's primary site for his gruesome acts. Jeff's dad ended up getting involved in Jeffrey's unacceptable behavior. When his dad got involved the situation changed. Late in September 1988, Jeff and his grandma came to the mutual decision that he should move out.

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Dahmer found a new residence quickly, settling into an apartment located at 808 North 24th Street in Milwaukee. This location was within walking distance of the Ambrosia Chocolate Factory, where he had been working. Without waiting, Dahmer went out for a victim. On the very night he moved into his new apartment, he found a 13-year-old boy on the street near his apartment. By luring the young boy with the promise of fifty dollars in exchange for allowing him to capture nude photographs at his apartment, Dahmer managed to lure him back. Although the boy initially agreed, he soon fell ill after consuming a drink that Dahmer had spiked with sleeping pills, prompting him to leave. The boy's parents promptly took the intoxicated minor to the hospital, and the police were notified of the incident. Given the involvement of a minor, the authorities treated the matter with utmost seriousness. Consequently, Jeffrey Dahmer faced charges of exploiting a minor and second-degree sexual assault. His most recent offense carried the potential for a significant prison sentence. Pleading not guilty, Dahmer personally paid the bail amount of $2,500.

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Once a man stepped foot into Jeffrey Dahmer's apartment, it was highly unlikely that he would ever find his way out. The most unsettling part of Dahmer's crimes was the horrifying ways in which he mistreated his victims' bodies. His twisted desires led him to engage in necrophilia, cannibalism, and even attempts to turn some of his victims into "living zombies." Following his arrest, Dahmer openly confessed during interviews with investigators, psychiatrists, and journalists that dismembering his victims was not just a means to hide evidence, but rather a sickening sexual ritual. The act of tearing flesh from bones was a source of sexual arousal for Dahmer, with a particular fascination for calf and arm muscles.

Quote #8

"As time went on, yes, there was a sexual part to that," Dahmer commented on the dismemberment of his victims' bodies. "It took more and more deviant type behavior to satisfy my urges." (73)

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Dahmer's period of cooling off was primarily due to his struggle in finding suitable victims, rather than a fear of law enforcement. Despite Dahmer's persistence in visiting the same gay bars in Milwaukee in search of victims, his tactics were no longer effective. He constructed altars using human skulls and indulged in alcohol while watching the Exorcist III, a film that sexually aroused him due to the brutal methods of killing depicted. Eventually, Dahmer managed to entice a few victims back to his place, where he proceeded to dismember their bodies and store their heads in his refrigerator. Jeff has still not given up on trying to make "zombies" so in one of his victims he cut a hole in their head and poured acid inside. He was very angered by this outcome.

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This incident is considered to be one of Dahmer's most heinous crimes. One afternoon, after indulging in heavy drinking and watching Exorcist III, Dahmer felt the urge to seek out another victim. Jeff decided to roam the streets of his neighborhood in search of his next prey. It didn't take long before he encountered 14-year-old Laotian boy Konerak Sinthasomphone. Ironically, Sinthasomphone was the younger brother of the 13-year-old boy Dahmer had molested in 1988. Using his usual charm, Dahmer lured the boy back to his house of horrors. After giving the boy a spiked drink, Sinthasomphone quickly lost consciousness. Dahmer then proceeded to commit unspeakable acts on the boy. Believing that Sinthasomphone would remain unconscious for several hours, Dahmer locked up the apartment and went out for drinks. Upon his return, Dahmer was horrified to find a naked Sinthasomphone standing with two female neighbors at the entrance. The women noticed the boy's injuries and promptly called 911. Despite Dahmer's attempts to deceive the police by claiming it was a domestic dispute and that the boy was of legal age, the truth eventually came to light. After the police left, Dahmer continued his gruesome experiments on Sinthasomphone, ultimately leading to the boy's tragic death.

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In the midst of 1990, Dahmer struggled with distinguishing between fantasy and reality, and his drinking habits were escalating out of control. Nevertheless, he still managed to attract potential victims. On the night of July 24, 1991, Jeffrey Dahmer tried to harm another man, but the victim fought back, leading to the arrest of the Milwaukee Cannibal. The sequence of events was familiar. Dahmer consumed alcohol excessively, wandered around the city all day, and eventually ended up at a pizza parlor in the downtown area. There, he noticed three black men, one of whom caught his eye - 31-year-old Tracy Edwards. Dahmer approached him, employed his usual tactics, and convinced him to accompany him back to his apartment. Fortunately, Tracy Edwards managed to escape from Jeffrey and sought help from the police, resulting in Dahmer's arrest and the discovery of numerous disturbing polaroids.

Quote #9

"Dahmer told the authorities and reporters after he was finally captured, that he could not remember many of his murders, even months later, because he was too drunk when he committed them."

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After spending approximately one year in solitary confinement, Jeffrey Dahmer was transferred to a cell block where he would be among the general prison population. Lionel's life has undergone various twists and turns since the 1970s. By the late 1980s, while his son was engaged in a series of killings, Lionel experienced a renewal of his Christian faith. During his visits to Dahmer in prison, Lionel would insist that Dahmer read the Bible and attend church services. Whether this transformation was genuine or not remains uncertain, but Jeffery Dahmer himself asserted that he had undergone a religious conversion to Christianity after being incarcerated. In early 1994, Dahmer was baptized in the prison's whirlpool. Many individuals view Dahmer's conversion as just another example of the numerous jailhouse conversions, believing that he would have continued killing if given the opportunity. Dahmer claimed that his newfound religious faith provided him with solace and the strength to confront his fate with bravery. Interestingly, he partially attributed his murders to the theory of evolution. While Jeffrey may have believed that God had truly forgiven him for his crimes and that he would enter heaven instead of hell upon his death, he was unaware that his time was rapidly approaching.

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Christopher Scarver exhibited many similarities to Jeffrey Dahmer. He was a violent individual who had been diagnosed with a mental illness, and he was known for his solitary nature both in prison and on the streets. Growing up in Milwaukee, Scarver faced difficulties in fitting in with his peers and maintaining steady employment. However, on June 1, 1990, Scarver's mental instability and animosity towards white individuals and authority figures were revealed when he fatally shot Steve Lohman. As a result, Scarver was apprehended, tried, and convicted for the murder of Lohman. He was sentenced to life in prison and was transferred to the Columbia Correctional Institute, where he shared a cell block with Dahmer. While Dahmer engaged in disturbing pranks, such as taunting and arranging his food to resemble dismembered body parts, Scarver did not find his sense of humor amusing. On the morning of November 28, 1994, Scarver took the opportunity to express his disdain for Dahmer's antics. During a visit to the gym, Scarver confronted Dahmer and proceeded to repeatedly strike him in the face and head with a twenty-inch dumbbell bar. Despite Dahmer collapsing after several blows, Scarver continued to assault him until the serial killer sustained severe head injuries. Dahmer later succumbed to his injuries at a nearby hospital on the same day.

Quote #10

"Scarver calmly told a guard that 'God told me to do it...'"(131)

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Following the murder of Dahmer, news spread rapidly across global media outlets. The lack of surprise among the public was evident, with few showing any empathy towards the demise of the Milwaukee Cannibal. In fact, some, including the families of his victims, even celebrated the event. Naturally, Dahmer's family was deeply upset by his death. As the initial frenzy surrounding the murder subsided, questions arose. The revelation that no guards were present during the assaults led to speculation that Dahmer may have been set up by prison staff. In a maximum security facility like the Columbia Correctional Institute, it is standard protocol for every inmate to be under the watchful eye of at least one guard at all times. Despite two guards being assigned to the gym where the murders occurred, neither were present when Scarver carried out the brutal killings. Scarver's interviews with the press in 2015 hinted at possible complicity of the guards in the murders, raising doubts that may never be fully resolved. Another intriguing aspect to consider is whether Dahmer willingly allowed Scarver to end his life.

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With few exceptions, the majority of well-known serial killers exhibit a fear of death and prioritize self-preservation. However, Jeffrey Dahmer, also known as the Milwaukee Cannibal, may have had a different perspective. Based on his statements to the press and his actions leading up to his death, it appears that Dahmer may have welcomed death. He openly expressed his lack of desire for freedom and his death wish. Even while serving his prison sentence, Dahmer reiterated his desire to die. Another factor to consider in determining whether Dahmer intentionally invited his demise is his ability to defend himself. If Scarver had ambushed Dahmer, the serial killer would likely have been unable to defend himself. However, Scarver's statement suggests that there was a verbal altercation before the physical assault occurred. All things being equal, Dahmer, who was physically fit, would have been capable of defending himself in a confrontation with Scarver, unless he intentionally allowed himself to be overpowered and killed, similar to how he had done to at least 17 young men and boys. While Dahmer was known as a formidable presence on the streets, he became vulnerable and defenseless upon entering prison. The question of whether Dahmer willingly allowed himself to be killed, or if there was a potential conspiracy among prison guards to have him killed, will likely remain unanswered. These questions will undoubtedly continue to be debated.

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#20 The Legacy of the Milwaukee Cannibal

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#20 The Legacy of the Milwaukee Cannibal

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Jeffrey Dahmer, famously referred to as the "Milwaukee Cannibal," has left a mark on history. His disgusting acts, which were composed of rape, murder, necrophilia, and cannibalism, sent trauma throughout the world and forever impacted the communities affected by his atrocities. This literary work delves deep into Dahmer's psychological makeup, analyzing the various factors that potentially contributed to what he did. Furthermore, it extensively explores the law enforcement's relentless pursuit, ultimately leading to his apprehension and subsequent conviction. In its entirety, this book serves as a bone-chilling reminder of the inherent darkness that can reside within the human psyche.

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Ohio State University

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Walter "Ted" Carter Jr., a respected leader well known for strategic ingenuity and a highly collaborative leadership style, has been named the 17th President of The Ohio State University.

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Discover Ohio State, a mission-driven land grant university, home to the Wexner Medical Center and world-class graduate, undergraduate and research programs.

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Ambassador Hotel

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Haunted Ambassador Hotel, Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Haunted Rooms America

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2308 W Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53233

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Dahmer - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story is out on Netflix now, starring Emmy-winner Evan Peters as the notorious serial killer.

The 10-part series traces Dahmer's crimes and will be mainly told from the perspective of his victims, the people who tried to stop him, and those who knew him. The series also highlights the several systematic failures that allowed Dahmer to carry out his crimes for more than a decade.

Dahmer was sentenced to 15 life sentences in prison, dying in 1994 when he was murdered by a fellow inmate. But what happened to his apartment where many of his heinous crimes took place, and what is it like now? Newsweek has everything you need to know.

Jeffrey Dahmer's Apartment Building Now

Jeffrey Dahmer lived at No. 213 Oxford Apartments in Milwaukee between May 1990 and his arrest on July 22, 1991.

Today, the site where The Oxford Apartments once stood is completely empty. The apartments were demolished in November 1992, just 15 months after human remains were discovered.

The building was purchased for $325,000 by the Campus Circle Project-a "collaborative neighborhood redevelopment initiative" sponsored by Marquette University.

Campus Circle helped house the remaining occupants living in the building at the time.

According to The Bulletin newspaper in November 1992, grass and flowers were planted on the site where the 49-apartment complex once stood.

Project President Patrick LeSage told The Bulletin that Dahmer's home had been a "symbol of anger, pain, violence, and death," adding: "It needs to be replaced with a sign of our commitment to support the healing process and to work together as a community of people who care."

As of September 2022, plans to transform the site into a memorial garden, playground, or new housing have been unsuccessful.

Dahmer had previously lived with his grandmother, before living for a short spell at 808 North 24th Street in September 1988.

After pleading guilty to charges of second-degree sexual assault and enticing a child for immoral purposes, he moved back in with his grandmother, where he continued to commit more murders without her knowledge.

Dahmer moved into apartment 213 at the Oxford Apartments located on 925 North 25th Street in Milwaukee in May 1990. He took with him the mummified head and genitals of his fifth victim, Anthony Sears.

Within one week of living there, he murdered his sixth victim, 32-year-old Raymond Smith. Dahmer would go on to commit a further 11 murders in apartment 213.

In total, he committed twelve of the killings at his North 25th Street Apartment, three at his grandmother's home, one at his parents' home in Ohio, and one at the Ambassador Hotel in Milwaukee.

Dahmer's killing spree came to an end on July 22, 1991, when Tracy Edwards managed to escape Dahmer's home and flag down a nearby police car, bringing an end to his 13-year murder spree.

A detailed search of Dahmer's apartment by the Milwaukee police's Criminal Investigation Bureau found seven skulls, two human hearts, an entire torso, a bag of human organs, two skeletons, a pair of severed hands, two severed and preserved male genitalia, a mummified scalp and a 57-gallon drum that included three dismembered torsos.

Dahmer entered a plea of guilty but insane in 15 of the 17 murders he confessed to committing. In February 1992, the jury found him sane at the time of each murder and he was sentenced to 15 consecutive life sentences.

He died in 1994 after being attacked by fellow inmate Christopher J. Scarver at Columbia Correctional Institution in Portage, Wisconsin.

Dahmer- Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story is streaming on Netflix now.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

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Jeffrey Dahmer Apartment Building Now-Inside Killer's Milwaukee Home

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Jeffrey Dahmer murdered 17 young men and boys between 1978 and 1991.