Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer Biography
Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer (born May 21, 1960 – died November 28, 1994), infamously known as the Milwaukee Cannibal or the Milwaukee Monster, was an American serial killer and sex offender.
Between 1978 and 1991, he brutally murdered 17 young men and boys, committing acts of rape, dismemberment, necrophilia, and cannibalism.
His horrific crimes were uncovered in 1991 when one of his intended victims escaped and alerted police, leading to Dahmer’s arrest and the chilling discovery of human remains in his apartment.
Convicted of 16 counts of first-degree murder and other offenses, he was sentenced to 16 life terms totaling 941 years. Dahmer was killed in prison by a fellow inmate on November 28, 1994.
His case remains one of the most disturbing in criminal history, highlighting severe lapses in law enforcement and the dark complexities of human psychology.
Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer |
| Born | May 21, 1960, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA |
| Died | November 28, 1994 (aged 34), Portage, Wisconsin, USA |
| Cause of Death | Homicide by bludgeoning (severe skull and brain trauma) |
| Nicknames | The Milwaukee Cannibal, The Milwaukee Monster |
| Victims | 17 |
| Crimes Span | 1978 – 1991 |
| States Active | Wisconsin, Ohio |
| Date Apprehended | July 22, 1991 |
| Convictions | First-degree murder (16 counts), disorderly conduct (2 counts), second-degree sexual assault, enticing a child for immoral purposes |
| Sentence | Life imprisonment without parole (16 sentences totaling 941 years) |
| Imprisoned at | Columbia Correctional Institution, Portage, Wisconsin |
Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer’s Early Life and Childhood (1960–1978)
Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer was born on May 21, 1960, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Lionel Herbert Dahmer, a chemistry student who later became a research chemist, and Joyce Annette Dahmer, a teletype machine instructor.
He was of German, Welsh, Norwegian, and Irish descent. While some reports claim Dahmer was neglected as a baby, others say he was initially well cared for, although his mother’s erratic behavior, frequent illnesses, and depression created a tense household.
As Dahmer entered first grade, his father’s academic commitments kept him away from home, while his mother’s mental health deteriorated, leading to a suicide attempt.
Dahmer began to feel emotionally abandoned, describing his home life as filled with constant conflict and instability.
A turning point came just before his fourth birthday, when he underwent hernia surgery. Once a lively child, he became quiet and withdrawn afterward.
Teachers noted his emotional detachment, which worsened when his mother became pregnant with his younger brother.
In October 1966, the family moved to Doylestown, Ohio, and in December 1966, Dahmer named his new baby brother David.
From a very young age, Dahmer developed a disturbing interest in animal bones.
At just four years old, he became fascinated when he saw his father removing bones from under their home.
Encouraged by what his father saw as scientific curiosity, Jeffrey learned how to bleach and preserve bones, a skill he would later use for gruesome purposes.
In May 1968, the Dahmers moved to Bath Township, Ohio. There, Dahmer began collecting dead animals, storing remains in jars with formaldehyde in a backyard hut.
His obsession escalated; he once impaled a dog’s skull on a stick in the woods as a “prank.”
Around this time, his mother’s condition worsened; she increased her intake of medications, further straining the family.
Teenage Years and High School Life (1970s)
During his teenage years at Revere High School, Dahmer became increasingly isolated.
By the age of 14, he was drinking heavily, even during school hours. When asked why, he replied that alcohol was his “medicine.”
Although seen as intelligent and polite, he only achieved average grades.
He played tennis and briefly joined the school band, but was largely considered an outcast.
By his mid-teens, Dahmer realized he was gay but kept it secret. His fantasies became violent, focusing on dominance and control.
At around age 16, he fantasized about ambushing a jogger with a baseball bat, his first attempt at assault, though it was unsuccessful.
Despite his growing darkness, Dahmer developed a reputation for bizarre humor, staging pranks that classmates referred to as “Doing a Dahmer.”
These included imitating seizures and making strange noises in public places, often in exchange for money to buy alcohol.
By 1977, his grades had dropped significantly. His parents hired a tutor with little success.
That same year, after discovering Joyce had an affair, his parents decided to divorce.
The separation turned bitter. In early 1978, Lionel moved into a motel, and in spring 1978, Joyce left with David, leaving 18-year-old Dahmer alone in the family home.
He graduated from high school in May 1978, but just weeks later, with no supervision, support, or guidance, Jeffrey Dahmer committed his first murder, marking the beginning of his descent into darkness.
Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer: Early Crimes: From First Murder to Military Discharge
The First Murder – June 18, 1978:
Jeffrey Dahmer committed his first murder on June 18, 1978, just three weeks after graduating from high school.
He encountered 18-year-old hitchhiker Steven Mark Hicks, who was on his way to a rock concert at Chippewa Lake Park, Ohio.
Dahmer lured him to his home under the pretense of sharing a few beers, claiming he had the house to himself.
Dahmer later confessed that he was sexually attracted to Hicks but realized Hicks was not interested in men.
As the night progressed, with drinking, music, and conversation, Hicks eventually wanted to leave, but Dahmer didn’t want him to go.
In a shocking escalation, Dahmer bludgeoned Hicks from behind with a 10-pound (4.5 kg) dumbbell, then strangled him using the dumbbell’s bar.
After the murder, Dahmer undressed the body, touched the chest, and masturbated over the corpse, indicating a deeply disturbing psychological state. He stored the body in the basement overnight.
The next day, Dahmer dismembered Hicks’ body, buried the remains in a shallow grave in his backyard, and later exhumed them.
He dissolved the flesh in acid and flushed it down the toilet. He crushed the bones with a sledgehammer and scattered them in the nearby woods.
He even discarded the knife and Hicks’ necklace into the Cuyahoga River.
College Struggles and Military Life (1978–1981)
Six weeks after the murder, Dahmer’s father and fiancée returned home and found him living alone.
In August 1978, Dahmer enrolled at Ohio State University (OSU) to study business. However, he was deeply addicted to alcohol, and his first semester was a disaster.
He failed most of his courses, except for Riflery, where he earned a B-grade.
His GPA plummeted to a shocking 0.45/4.0, and he dropped out after three months despite tuition being paid in advance.
In January 1979, Dahmer’s father urged him to join the military. Dahmer enlisted in the U.S. Army, completing basic training at Fort McClellan, Alabama, and training as a medical specialist at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
He was later deployed to Baumholder, West Germany, in July 1979 as a combat medic in the 2nd Battalion, 68th Armored Regiment.
Initially rated as an “average” soldier, his performance quickly deteriorated due to alcohol abuse. By March 1981, he was deemed unfit for service and honorably discharged, as his issues were considered unrelated to civilian life.
Post-Military Life and More Red Flags (1981–1985)
After being discharged, Dahmer was briefly stationed at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, before relocating to Miami Beach, Florida, in March 1981, trying to escape the cold and live independently.
He worked at a deli but spent most of his earnings on alcohol. Evicted from his motel, he became homeless before calling his father and returning to Ohio in September 1981.
Back in Ohio, Dahmer was arrested for drunk and disorderly conduct and fined $60.
In December 1981, he moved to West Allis, Wisconsin, to live with his grandmother, one of the few people he had a positive relationship.
Initially, things went well: he attended church, did chores, and even found a job at the Milwaukee Blood Plasma Center, which he held for 10 months before being laid off.
First Arrests and Disturbing Behavior (1982–1986)
August 8, 1982: Dahmer was arrested for indecent exposure at the Wisconsin State Fair Park, where he exposed himself in front of 25 people, including women and children. He was fined $50.
In January 1985, Dahmer started working the night shift at the Ambrosia Chocolate Factory.
Around this time, he was propositioned by a man in a library, sparking disturbing fantasies of dominance. He began frequenting gay bars, bathhouses, and bookstores.
By late 1985, Dahmer regularly visited bathhouses but became frustrated with his partners moving during intercourse.
He began drugging them with sleeping pills mixed in alcohol to perform sexual acts while they were unconscious.
After 12 such incidents, his bathhouse membership was revoked. He switched to renting hotel rooms for his continued abuse.
Shortly after, Dahmer attempted to steal a freshly buried corpse after reading about a young man’s funeral. However, he gave up after discovering the soil was too hard to dig.
September 8, 1986: Dahmer was arrested again, this time for masturbating in front of two 12-year-old boys near the Kinnickinnic River.
He initially claimed he was urinating, but later admitted the act.
The charge was downgraded to disorderly conduct, and on March 10, 1987, he received one year of probation and was required to attend counseling.
Second Murder – November 20, 1987
Still living with his grandmother, Dahmer met 25-year-old Steven Tuomi at a bar and convinced him to spend the night at the Ambassador Hotel in Milwaukee.
Dahmer claimed he only intended to drug Tuomi and lie beside him while touching him. But the next morning, Tuomi was dead, his chest crushed and bruised, blood coming from his mouth.
Dahmer’s hands were bruised, indicating a violent outburst, though he claimed to have no memory of killing Tuomi.
Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer: Oxford Apartments Murders: The Gruesome Crimes of 1990–1991
Between May 1990 and May 1991, serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer carried out some of his most disturbing and horrific murders at Apartment 213, Oxford Apartments, located at 924 North 25th Street, Milwaukee.
This period marks one of the darkest chapters in American crime history.
Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer moved to Oxford Apartments – May 14, 1990
On May 14, 1990, Dahmer moved out of his grandmother’s house and into Apartment 213.
He brought along disturbing trophies from a previous victim, mummified remains of Anthony Sears, including his head and genitals.
Though the neighborhood was known for high crime, the $300-a-month apartment was conveniently close to Dahmer’s job and included most utilities (except electricity).
Murder of Raymond Smith – May 20, 1990
Just one week later, Dahmer claimed his sixth victim, Raymond Smith, a 32-year-old male sex worker.
He lured Smith with a $50 promise for sex, drugged him with seven sleeping pills, and strangled him to death.
The next day, Dahmer purchased a Polaroid camera to take graphic photos of the body before dismembering it in the bathroom.
He boiled parts of the body and spray-painted the skull, storing it next to Sears’ skull in a filing cabinet.
Attempted Victim and Robbery – May 27, 1990
Around May 27, Dahmer tried to drug another man but accidentally drank the sedative himself. He passed out and awoke to find $300, a watch, and clothes stolen.
Although he didn’t report this to the police, he told his probation officer on May 29.
Edward Smith’s Murder – June 1990
In June 1990, Dahmer killed Edward Smith, age 27. This time, he tried preserving the body differently, freezing the skeleton, hoping it would retain structure.
However, the plan failed. Later, the skull exploded when he placed it in the oven to dry.
Dahmer admitted he regretted this murder, as he couldn’t keep any body parts.
“It was my way of remembering their appearance, their physical beauty… if I couldn’t keep them whole, I could at least keep their skeletons.” – Jeffrey Dahmer, February 1993
Ernest Miller’s Murder – September 2, 1990
Less than three months later, on September 2, 1990, Dahmer met Ernest Miller, a 22-year-old aspiring dancer, and offered $50 to listen to his heart and stomach.
After giving Miller only two sleeping pills, Dahmer slit his carotid artery, causing death within minutes.
Dahmer posed Miller’s body, took photographs, and later talked to and kissed the severed head.
He stored body parts for consumption, including Miller’s heart and biceps, and boiled others into jelly-like substances. The bleached bones were dried and preserved.
David Thomas’ Murder – September 24, 1990
On September 24, Dahmer met David Thomas, 22, at Grand Avenue Mall and invited him over for drinks and photographs.
After drugging him, Dahmer realized he wasn’t attracted to Thomas but feared releasing him, so he strangled and dismembered him, without keeping any body parts.
He took Polaroid photos during the process.
After this, Dahmer did not kill again for five months, though he attempted to lure other victims unsuccessfully.
Mental Health Struggles in the Late 1990s
During late 1990, Dahmer shared feelings of depression, loneliness, and suicidal thoughts with his probation officer.
He mentioned sexual identity struggles, financial issues, and anxiety about family reunions during Thanksgiving.
Murders in 1991
Curtis Straughter – February 1991:
In February 1991, Dahmer murdered Curtis Straughter, a 17-year-old he met near Marquette University.
Straughter was lured to Dahmer’s apartment for nude photos and sex.
After drugging and handcuffing him, Dahmer strangled him with a leather strap and kept his skull, genitals, and hands. He also photographed the dismemberment.
Errol Lindsey – April 7, 1991:
On April 7, Dahmer targeted 19-year-old Errol Lindsey. After drugging him, Dahmer drilled a hole in Lindsey’s skull and injected hydrochloric acid, hoping to make him submissive.
Remarkably, Lindsey woke up, saying, “I have a headache. What time is it?” Dahmer drugged and strangled him again.
He later flayed Lindsey’s body, attempting to preserve the skin, but discarded it when it became too fragile.
Neighbor Complaints at Oxford Apartments – Spring 1991:
By early 1991, several residents complained about foul odors and strange sounds from Apartment 213.
Building manager Sopa Princewill confronted Dahmer multiple times. Dahmer blamed a broken freezer or dead tropical fish for the stench.
Tony Hughes – May 24, 1991:
On May 24, Dahmer met Tony Hughes, a 31-year-old deaf and mute man, at a nightclub.
He was drugged and subjected to the same acid injection experiment, but it proved fatal.
Konerak Sinthasomphone – May 26–27, 1991:
Just two days later, Dahmer encountered Konerak Sinthasomphone, age 14, the younger brother of a boy Dahmer had molested in 1988.
He offered the teen money for photos and later drugged and assaulted him.
Dahmer performed another acid injection experiment. He left the boy unattended to go drinking.
Meanwhile, Sinthasomphone escaped, but police were tragically convinced by Dahmer’s lies, believing it was a lovers’ quarrel. They returned the boy to Dahmer, who later killed him.
Final Note:
Between May 1990 and July 1991, Jeffrey Dahmer killed at least 11 men and boys at Oxford Apartments.
His crimes involved cannibalism, dismemberment, and attempts at human control through crude brain surgeries.
This chilling series of murders ultimately ended when one victim escaped on July 22, 1991, leading to Dahmer’s arrest and the shocking revelations of what occurred behind the doors of Apartment 213.
Arrest and Capture of Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer
On July 22, 1991, Jeffrey Dahmer approached three men with an unusual offer: $100 to accompany him to his apartment to pose for nude photographs, drink beer, and keep him company.
Among them was 32-year-old Tracy Edwards, who accepted the offer. Upon entering Dahmer’s apartment, Edwards immediately noticed a foul odor and several boxes of hydrochloric acid on the floor, which Dahmer claimed were for cleaning bricks.
During their interaction, Dahmer asked Edwards to turn his head to look at his tropical fish, but instead handcuffed Edwards’ wrist.
When Edwards questioned Dahmer, he attempted unsuccessfully to cuff Edwards’ wrists together, then led him to the bedroom to pose for photos.
In the bedroom, Edwards observed nude male posters on the walls, a videotape of The Exorcist III playing, and a large blue 57-gallon drum emitting a strong odor in the corner.
Dahmer then pulled out a knife, saying he wanted to take nude pictures of Edwards.
Trying to calm him, Edwards unbuttoned his shirt, hoping Dahmer would remove the handcuffs and put away the knife, but Dahmer ignored this and instead focused on the TV.
Suddenly, Dahmer placed his head on Edwards’ chest, listened to his heartbeat, pressed the knife against him, and chillingly declared he intended to eat Edwards’ heart.
Edwards repeatedly told Dahmer he was his friend and not planning to escape, buying time.
He planned to flee either through a window or the unlocked front door when possible. After asking to use the bathroom, Edwards requested to sit in the air-conditioned living room with a beer.
Dahmer agreed, and Edwards waited for a moment when Dahmer was distracted before making his move.
Noticing Dahmer was no longer holding the handcuffs, Edwards punched him, broke free, and ran out the front door.
At 11:30 p.m. on July 22, 1991, Edwards flagged down Milwaukee police officers Robert Rauth and Rolf Mueller.
The officers saw the handcuff on Edwards’ wrist, who explained it had been forcibly placed on him by a “freak” and asked for help.
When the officers’ keys failed to open the handcuffs, Edwards agreed to lead them to Dahmer’s apartment.
Upon arrival at Apartment 213, Dahmer admitted to handcuffing Edwards but gave no explanation.
Edwards told officers about the knife incident in the bedroom. Inside the bedroom, Officer Mueller discovered a large knife under the bed and an open drawer filled with numerous Polaroid photographs showing human bodies in various states of dismemberment, all taken in the apartment.
When Mueller showed the photos to Officer Rauth, he said, “These are for real.” Dahmer suddenly resisted arrest but was quickly subdued and handcuffed.
As backup arrived, Mueller opened the refrigerator to reveal the severed head of a black male on the bottom shelf.
Dahmer, pinned to the floor, muttered: “For what I did, I should be dead.”
The Grisly Evidence Found
A thorough search of Dahmer’s apartment uncovered horrifying evidence:
Four severed heads in the kitchen
Seven skulls (some painted or bleached) in the bedroom and closet
Blood drippings in a tray at the bottom of the refrigerator
Two human hearts and portions of arm muscle wrapped in plastic
In the freezer: an entire torso and bags of human organs and flesh
Two complete skeletons, severed hands, preserved genitalia, and a mummified scalp
The 57-gallon drum contained three dismembered torsos dissolving in acid.
74 Polaroid pictures documenting the victim’s dismemberment
The chief medical examiner later remarked, “It was more like dismantling someone’s museum than an actual crime scene.”
Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer’s Confession
Beginning in the early hours of July 23, 1991, Dahmer was questioned by Detective Patrick Kennedy.
Over two weeks, Dahmer gave extensive interviews totaling more than 60 hours, resulting in a 178-page confession.
He waived his right to have a lawyer present, expressing a desire to confess and end the horror fully.
Dahmer admitted to murdering 16 young men in Wisconsin since 1987, plus one victim, Steven Hicks, killed in Ohio in 1978.
Most victims were rendered unconscious before death, while some were killed by having acid or boiling water injected into their brains.
He described a ritual of posing bodies in suggestive positions before dismembering them.
Dahmer confessed to necrophilia, sexual acts with victims’ bodies, and dismembering them in his bathtub.
He explained how he preserved skeletons by pulverizing or dissolving bones and using chemicals like Soilax and bleach.
He admitted to consuming the hearts, livers, and muscles of three victims and retaining other flesh for later consumption, initially out of curiosity but later as a way to feel a permanent connection to his victims.
He revealed that in the two months before his arrest, his urge to kill had become overwhelming, a constant desire to be with attractive young men at any cost.
Dahmer also described plans to create a private altar with seven skulls and two complete skeletons on a black table in his living room, surrounded by incense and blue lights, a meditative space where he could feel powerful.
Indictment and Trial
On July 25, 1991, Dahmer was charged with four counts of first-degree murder.
By August 22, 1991, charges expanded to include eleven additional murders in Wisconsin.
On September 14, 1991, Ohio authorities formally charged Dahmer with the 1978 murder of Steven Hicks.
Dahmer was not charged for the attempted murder of Edwards or for the death of Steven Tuomi due to a lack of physical evidence and Dahmer’s memory loss of the latter.
He pleaded guilty but insane to 15 counts of murder on January 13, 1992.
His trial began on January 30, 1992, in Milwaukee, overseen by Judge Laurence Gram.
The prosecution argued Dahmer was legally sane and aware of his crimes, while the defense claimed he suffered from mental disorders, including necrophilia, impairing his ability to control impulses.
Defense experts testified about Dahmer’s paraphilia and compulsions, attempting to establish insanity.
Imprisonment at Columbia Correctional Institution
Jeffrey Dahmer was imprisoned at the Columbia Correctional Institution following his sentencing in 1992 and remained there until his death in 1994.
Due to concerns for his safety, Dahmer spent his first year in solitary confinement to avoid contact with other inmates who might harm him.
During this time, he received a significant amount of mail from people worldwide, including donations used to purchase items such as cassette tapes, stationery, cigarettes, and magazines.
After one year, at Dahmer’s request, he was moved to a less restrictive unit where he was assigned a daily two-hour cleaning detail, initially focused on the toilet block, which later expanded to include the prison gymnasium.
Shortly after his confessions in 1991, Dahmer requested a Bible from Detective Murphy.
This marked the beginning of his spiritual transformation. He gradually embraced Christianity and became a born-again Christian.
Encouraged by his father, Dahmer also read creationist literature from the Institute for Creation Research.
In May 1994, Dahmer was baptized by Roy Ratcliff, a minister from the Church of Christ, in the prison whirlpool.
Ratcliff visited Dahmer weekly, discussing themes of faith and mortality. In the months leading up to his death, Dahmer reportedly questioned whether continuing to live was sinful.
In a 1994 Dateline NBC interview, Dahmer reflected on his past:
“If a person doesn’t think that there is a God to be accountable to, then what’s the point of trying to modify your behavior?”
Attack and Death on July 3, 1994
On July 3, 1994, Dahmer was attacked by fellow inmate Osvaldo Durruthy while sitting in the prison chapel after a church service.
Durruthy attempted to slash Dahmer’s throat with a razor hidden in a toothbrush. Dahmer sustained only superficial injuries.
His family stated Dahmer had long accepted the possibility of death and was ready to face any prison punishment.
Murder on November 28, 1994
On the morning of November 28, 1994, Dahmer was assigned a work detail cleaning the prison gym showers, accompanied by inmates Jesse Anderson and Christopher Scarver.
The three were left unsupervised for about 20 minutes, during which Scarver attacked Dahmer with a 20-inch metal bar, inflicting severe head injuries.
Dahmer was found alive but succumbed to his wounds about an hour later.
Anderson was also attacked during the same incident and died two days later.
Scarver, serving a life sentence for a 1990 murder, told authorities he was prompted by a voice he believed was God.
He admitted hiding the metal bar before the attack but insisted it was not premeditated. Dahmer’s final words reportedly were:
“I don’t care if I live or die. Go ahead and kill me.”
Dahmer’s mother, Joyce, expressed anger at the media after his death:
“Now is everybody happy? Now that he’s bludgeoned to death, is that good enough for everyone?”
Victims’ families had mixed reactions, some felt relief, others deepened sorrow.
The district attorney warned against glorifying Scarver, emphasizing that Dahmer’s death was still murder.
Scarver received two additional life sentences in May 1995 for the killings.
Funeral and Will
Dahmer’s will specified no funeral services and requested cremation. In September 1995, his remains were cremated, and his ashes were split between his parents.
A dispute over his brain’s retention for medical research delayed its cremation until December 1995.
Check Out: Neko Sparks Wikipedia, Biography, Career, Networth, Family, Early Life, Education, Collection
Community Impact and Aftermath
Following the discovery of Dahmer’s crimes in August 1991, a candlelight vigil in Milwaukee was held with over 400 attendees, including community leaders, gay rights activists, and victims’ families.
The vigil aimed to foster healing and express collective grief.
Dahmer’s murders exacerbated racial tensions in Milwaukee, a city already struggling with race relations.
Many victims were from ethnic minorities, with nine out of seventeen being Black.
The local gay community, often underground and using aliases for safety, experienced heightened fear, although this was temporary.
The apartment building where Dahmer committed twelve murders, the Oxford Apartments at 924 North 25th Street, was demolished in November 1992.
Plans for memorials or redevelopment never came to fruition, leaving the site a vacant lot.
Handling of Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer’s Estate and Legacy
Dahmer’s estate was awarded to the families of eleven victims who had filed lawsuits.
In 1996, an attempt to auction Dahmer’s possessions sparked controversy. Milwaukee Civic Pride, a community group, raised over $400,000—including a $100,000 donation from developer Joseph Zilber- to purchase and destroy Dahmer’s belongings.
The items were buried in a landfill in Illinois to prevent their public sale.
Dahmer’s father, Lionel, published A Father’s Story in 1994, donating part of the proceeds to victims’ families.
While most families supported Lionel and his second wife, Shari, some filed lawsuits against them over the book and claims of parental negligence.
Lionel Dahmer lived with Shari until her death in January 2023 and passed away of natural causes on December 5, 2023.
Both chose to keep their surname despite Jeffrey’s crimes.
Dahmer’s mother, Joyce Flint, died of cancer in November 2000 after previously attempting suicide.
His younger brother David changed his surname and lives privately.
Victims Overview
Jeffrey Dahmer murdered seventeen young men between 1978 and 1991.
Twelve victims were killed in his North 25th Street apartment, three at his grandmother’s home, and two at other locations, including his parents’ home in Ohio and a Milwaukee hotel.
Fourteen victims were ethnic minorities, nine of whom were Black.
Dahmer claimed his choice of victims was based on body type rather than race, a conclusion supported by forensic studies highlighting a “morphological similarity” among his victims.
Most victims were strangled after sedation; however, some suffered other fatal injuries such as blunt trauma or acid injections intended to induce compliance, which instead proved lethal.
Timeline of Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer’s Known Victims and Crimes
1978:
June 18 – Steven Mark Hicks, 18, was last seen hitchhiking to a rock concert in Chippewa Lake Park, Bath, Ohio.
Dahmer targeted Hicks because he was bare-chested.
He bludgeoned Hicks with a dumbbell, strangled him, then dismembered the body.
Dahmer crushed the bones with a hammer and scattered them in the woods behind his family home.
1987:
November 20 – Steven Walter Tuomi, 25, was killed in a rented room at the Ambassador Hotel, Milwaukee.
Dahmer later admitted having no memory of the murder but believed he had killed Tuomi in a drunken state.
The body was dismembered in his grandmother’s basement, and the remains were discarded in the trash. No remains were recovered.
1988:
January 16 – James Edward Doxtator, 14, was lured from outside a Wisconsin gay bar to West Allis on the promise of $50 to pose nude.
Dahmer strangled him, kept the body in his basement for a week, then dismembered and disposed of it.
March 24 – Richard Guerrero, 22, was drugged and strangled in Dahmer’s West Allis bedroom.
The body was dismembered, flesh dissolved in acid, bones discarded.
Dahmer kept the skull for months before disposing of it. No remains were found.
1989:
March 25 – Anthony Lee Sears, 24, was the last victim of Dahmer drugged and strangled at his grandmother’s house.
Sears was the first victim from whom Dahmer permanently kept body parts.
His preserved skull and genitals were discovered in a filing cabinet after Dahmer’s 1991 arrest.
1990:
May 20 – Raymond Lamont Smith (aka Ricky Beeks), 32, was Dahmer’s first victim at his North 25th Street apartment.
Smith, a male sex worker, was given a drink laced with sleeping pills and strangled on the kitchen floor. Dahmer spray-painted Smith’s skull and kept it.
June 14 – Edward Warren Smith, 27, a known acquaintance last seen with Dahmer at a party. Dahmer dissolved his skeleton in acid; the skull was accidentally destroyed in an oven. No remains found.
September 2 – Ernest Marquez Miller, 22, a dance student whom Dahmer admired physically.
He severed Miller’s carotid artery, dismembered him in the bathtub, stored his skeleton in a filing cabinet drawer, and preserved some organs and muscles in the freezer for consumption.
September 24 – David Courtney Thomas, 22, was lured with money for nude photos, drugged, and strangled after Dahmer decided he “wasn’t his type.”
Dahmer took Polaroid photos during dismemberment. No remains were found.
1991:
February 18 – Curtis Durrell Straughter, 17, was lured from a bus stop near Marquette University.
Dahmer drugged, handcuffed, strangled, and dismembered him in the bathtub, keeping his skull, hands, and genitals.
April 7 – Errol Lindsey, 19, was Dahmer’s first victim, subjected to his “drilling technique”, holes drilled into the skull, and hydrochloric acid injected into the brain.
Lindsey briefly awoke, was sedated again, then strangled. Dahmer flayed Lindsey’s skin, keeping it for weeks. His skull was recovered after Dahmer’s arrest.
May 24 – Tony Anthony Hughes, 31, who was deaf and communicated by notes, was lured for nude photos.
Dahmer injected hydrochloric acid into his skull, killing him.
His body lay in Dahmer’s bedroom for three days before dismemberment. The skull was identified by dental records.
May 27 – Konerak Sinthasomphone, 14, the younger brother of a previously molested boy, was drugged and had acid injected into his brain.
After escaping the apartment naked and confused, three women tried to help him, but police returned him to Dahmer, who killed him and kept his head in the freezer.
June 30 – Matt Cleveland Turner, 20, was convinced to come to Milwaukee for a photo shoot after the Chicago Pride Parade.
Turner was drugged, strangled, dismembered, with his head and organs kept in the freezer, and his torso placed in a drum.
July 5 – Jeremiah Benjamin Weinberger, 23, was lured from a Chicago gay bar to Milwaukee.
Dahmer drilled his skull and injected boiling water.
Weinberger died with his eyes open, was kept in the bathtub for a week, then dismembered. His torso was placed in the drum.
July 15 – Oliver Joseph Lacy, 24, a bodybuilder, was lured with money for photos, drugged, strangled, decapitated, with head and heart kept in the refrigerator.
His skeleton was retained for Dahmer’s growing shrine of skulls.
July 19 – Joseph Arthur Bradehoft, 25, Dahmer’s last victim and father of three from Minnesota, was killed while looking for work.
Dahmer left the body on the bed for two days, then decapitated it. The head kept in the refrigerator, the torso in the drum.
Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer in the Media
Films:
The Secret Life: Jeffrey Dahmer (1993), directed by David Bowen, starring Carl Crew.
Dahmer (2002), starring Jeremy Renner as Dahmer.
Raising Jeffrey Dahmer (2006) focuses on Dahmer’s parents’ reactions post-arrest.
The Jeffrey Dahmer Files (2012) is a documentary featuring interviews with neighbors, detectives, and medical examiners.
My Friend Dahmer (2017), directed by Marc Meyers, is based on John Backderf’s graphic novel, depicting Dahmer’s high school years.
Books:
My Friend Dahmer by Derf Backderf (2012)
Inside the Mind of Jeffrey Dahmer: The Cannibal Killer by Christopher Berry-Dee (2022)
A Father’s Story by Lionel Dahmer (1994)
Milwaukee Massacre by Robert J. Dvorchak & Lisa Holewa (1992)
Others covering legal, psychological, and faith perspectives on Dahmer’s case.
Television Documentaries & Interviews:
The Trial of Jeffrey Dahmer (1992) focuses on court testimony.
Dahmer: Mystery of a Serial Killer (1993), A&E documentary.
Inside Edition (1993), exclusive interview with Dahmer.
ABC’s Day One episode (1993), forensic expert interviews.
To Kill and Kill Again (1993), Channel 4 documentary.
Dateline NBC: Confessions of a Serial Killer (1994), in-depth interviews with Dahmer and family.
BBC’s Everyman: Profile of a Serial Killer (1994).
A&E’s Jeffrey Dahmer: The Monster Within (1996).
Born to Kill? (2005), featuring FBI profiler interviews.
Investigation Discovery’s Most Evil (2006), with excerpts of interviews.
HLN’s How It Happened episode on Dahmer.
FAQs
1: Who was Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer?
Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer was an American serial killer and sex offender known for murdering 17 young men between 1978 and 1991, primarily in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
2: What were Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer’s nicknames?
Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer was known as “The Milwaukee Cannibal” and “The Milwaukee Monster” due to his gruesome crimes, which included cannibalism and necrophilia.
3: When and where was Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer born?
Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer was born on May 21, 1960, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
4: How many victims did Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer have?
Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer killed 17 victims.
5: What crimes was Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer convicted of?
Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer was convicted of 16 counts of first-degree murder, disorderly conduct (2 counts), second-degree sexual assault, and enticing a child for immoral purposes.
6: When was Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer arrested?
Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer was apprehended on July 22, 1991.
7: How long was Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer’s sentence?
Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, with 16 consecutive life terms totaling 941 years.
8: Where was Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer imprisoned?
Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer was imprisoned at Columbia Correctional Institution in Portage, Wisconsin.
9: How did Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer die?
Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer died on November 28, 1994, at the age of 34, due to homicide by bludgeoning (severe skull and brain trauma) while in prison.
10: What was unique or infamous about Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer’s crimes?
Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer’s crimes involved acts of necrophilia, dismemberment, and cannibalism, which shocked the public and led to extensive media coverage.
Check Out: Connor James Sturgeon Biography, Wikipedia, Age, Early Life, Education, Parents, Career Achievements
In conclusion
Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer remains one of the most notorious serial killers in American history.
His horrific crimes, spanning over a decade, involved not only murder but also acts of cannibalism and sexual assault that shocked the nation.
Despite being apprehended and sentenced to multiple life terms, Dahmer’s story highlights the dark complexities of human psychology and the consequences of unchecked violence.
His life and crimes continue to be studied as a grim reminder of the depths of human depravity and the importance of vigilance in law enforcement and mental health awareness.
Discover more from Labaran Yau
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
