Last year, Jeffery Dahmer’s horrid story shocked millions once again, thanks to the hit Netflix series, Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story. Besides the ghastly crimes Dahmer committed, making him one of the most vicious serial killers in US history, many got to meet his father, Lionel, who not only became quite vocal in his defense during his trials but also proved to be a kind of lousy father.
Today, Lionel Dahmer has died at the age of 87 in hospice care in Medina County, Ohio. According to reports from the local health department, Lionel reportedly died from unknown causes.
Who Was Lionel Dahmer?
Lionel Herbert Dahmer was an American author, research chemist, and the father of infamous serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, also known as the “Milwaukee Cannibal.” Lionel Dahmer, a chemist by profession, was notable for his public statements and interviews following his son’s arrest and conviction.
He wrote a book titled A Father’s Story, in which he shared his experiences, struggles, and reflections on having a son who committed such heinous crimes. Lionel Dahmer gave many interviews in various documentaries and media outlets, discussing the challenges of dealing with the aftermath of his son’s actions and the impact it had on their family.
Lionel Dahmer faced public scrutiny and condemnation for his son’s actions and was even accused of using his son for fame and money, especially after his book was published. Still, even though he maintained a low profile in the last years, Lionel remained dedicated to understanding his son’s motivations and seeking forgiveness from the victims’ families.
Jeffery Dahmer’s Crimes
Between 1978 and 1991, Dahmer committed a series of gruesome crimes, primarily involving the abduction, assault, murder, and dismemberment of young men. Dahmer’s first known murder occurred in 1978 when he killed Steven Hicks, a hitchhiker.
Dahmer would typically lure young men to his apartment with the promise of money or alcohol before carrying out his crimes. Dahmer’s modus operandi involved drugging his victims with sleeping pills or alcohol and then strangling them.
Dahmer kept body parts as trophies and sometimes attempted to create “zombies” by injecting his victims’ brains with acid or boiling body parts. He later admitted that the desire to possess and control his victims was a significant motivation for his crimes.
Dahmer was finally arrested in 1991 after one of his intended victims, Tracy Edwards, managed to escape and led police to Dahmer’s apartment. Upon searching Dahmer’s residence, the police discovered evidence of his gruesome crimes, including photographs of dismembered bodies and human remains.
In 1992, Jeffrey Dahmer stood trial in Wisconsin and pleaded guilty but insane to 17 counts of murder. He was sentenced to 16 life terms in prison, totaling 936 years, as well as one additional life term in Ohio. Dahmer was incarcerated at the Columbia Correctional Institution in Portage, Wisconsin. Jeffrey Dahmer’s life in prison was short-lived. He was murdered by a fellow inmate, Christopher Scarver, in 1994.