History of Jeffrey Dahmer in Timeline

Jeffrey Dahmer, also known as the Milwaukee Cannibal, was an American serial killer and sex offender. Between 1978 and 1991, he murdered and dismembered seventeen men and boys. His crimes often involved necrophilia, cannibalism, and the preservation of body parts, particularly skeletons.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Challenges & Struggles

May 21, 1960: Jeffrey Dahmer's Birth

On May 21, 1960, Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer was born. He later became known as the Milwaukee Cannibal or the Milwaukee Monster.

Others born on this day/year

October 1966: Family Moved to Doylestown, Ohio

In October 1966, the Dahmer family moved to Doylestown, Ohio. In December of the same year, Jeffrey's mother gave birth, and Jeffrey named his new baby brother David.

May 1968: Family Moved to Bath Township, Ohio

In May 1968, the Dahmer family moved to Bath Township, Summit County, Ohio. At this home, Jeffrey Dahmer began collecting insects and animal skeletons.

1975: Decapitation of Dog Carcass

In 1975, Jeffrey Dahmer decapitated a dog carcass, nailed the body to a tree, and impaled the skull on a stick. Also in 1975, Dahmer's father taught him how to preserve animal bones, while his mother increased her consumption of Equanil, laxatives and sleeping pills.

September 1977: Joyce's Affair and Divorce Decision

In September 1977, Lionel discovered that Joyce had a brief affair, leading them to decide to divorce.

May 1978: Dahmer Graduated High School

In May 1978, Jeffrey Dahmer graduated from high school. A few weeks before, he was caught drinking beer in the school parking lot. In the spring, Dahmer's mother moved out of the family home with David to live with relatives in Wisconsin, without informing Lionel.

July 24, 1978: Divorce Finalized

On July 24, 1978, Jeffrey Dahmer's parents' divorce was finalized. Joyce was awarded custody of their younger son and alimony payments.

1978: Murder of Steven Hicks

In 1978, Dahmer confessed to killing Steven Hicks in Ohio.

1978: Homicide in Ohio

In 1978, Jeffrey Dahmer committed an additional homicide in Ohio, for which he was later sentenced to a sixteenth term of life imprisonment.

1978: First Murder

In 1978, Jeffrey Dahmer committed his first murder. Between 1978 and 1991, Dahmer killed seventeen young men.

January 1979: Enlisted in the United States Army

In January 1979, Jeffrey Dahmer enlisted in the United States Army at his father's urging. He underwent basic training at Fort McClellan and trained as a medical specialist at Fort Sam Houston, where he was reprimanded for intoxication.

July 13, 1979: Deployed to Baumholder, West Germany

On July 13, 1979, Jeffrey Dahmer was deployed to Baumholder, West Germany, serving as a combat medic in the 2nd Battalion, 68th Armored Regiment, 8th Infantry Division. He was described as an average or slightly above average soldier during his first year of service.

March 1981: Discharged From the Army

In March 1981, Jeffrey Dahmer was discharged from the Army due to his alcohol abuse. He received an honorable discharge, as his superiors didn't believe his problems would apply to civilian life.

March 24, 1981: Sent to Fort Jackson, Traveled to Miami Beach

On March 24, 1981, Jeffrey Dahmer was sent to Fort Jackson for debriefing and given a plane ticket. He chose to go to Miami Beach, Florida, where he worked at a delicatessen and rented a motel room. He spent his salary on alcohol and was evicted.

December 1981: Moved to Grandmother's Home

In December 1981, Jeffrey Dahmer was sent by his father and stepmother to live with his paternal grandmother, Catherine Dahmer, in West Allis, Wisconsin, hoping her influence would help him quit drinking and live responsibly.

August 8, 1982: Arrested for Indecent Exposure

On August 8, 1982, Jeffrey Dahmer was arrested at Wisconsin State Fair Park for exposing himself in the presence of women and children. He was convicted and fined.

1982: Employment at Milwaukee Blood Plasma Center

In early 1982, Jeffrey Dahmer found employment as a phlebotomist at the Milwaukee Blood Plasma Center and held the job for ten months before being laid off. He remained unemployed for over two years after that.

1983: Last Meeting with Mother Before Arrest

Prior to his arrest, Dahmer's last meeting with his mother, Joyce, was in Christmas 1983. Joyce related that in her weekly phone calls, whenever she expressed concerns for her son's physical well-being, Dahmer responded with comments to the effect of: "It doesn't matter, Mom. I don't care if something happens to me."

January 1985: Hired at Ambrosia Chocolate Factory

In January 1985, Jeffrey Dahmer was hired as a mixer at the Milwaukee Ambrosia Chocolate Factory. Around the same time, he was propositioned by another man at the West Allis Public Library, and he stole a male mannequin from a store.

1985: Regularly Frequenting Bathhouses

By late 1985, Jeffrey Dahmer had begun regularly frequenting bathhouses, which he described as "relaxing places". During his sexual encounters, he became frustrated at his partners' moving during the act, leading him to view people as objects of pleasure.

June 1986: Administering Sleeping Pills to Partners

Beginning in June 1986, Jeffrey Dahmer started administering sleeping pills to his partners in liquor laced with sedatives before engaging in sexual acts. He informed doctors he worked nights to obtain an adequate supply of the medication.

September 8, 1986: Arrested for Lewd and Lascivious Behavior

On September 8, 1986, Jeffrey Dahmer was arrested for masturbating in front of two 12-year-old boys near the Kinnickinnic River. The charge was later changed to disorderly conduct.

March 10, 1987: Sentenced to Probation

On March 10, 1987, Jeffrey Dahmer was sentenced to one year of probation with instructions to undergo counseling for disorderly conduct.

November 20, 1987: Encounter with Steven Tuomi

On November 20, 1987, Jeffrey Dahmer encountered Steven Tuomi at a bar and persuaded him to return to the Ambassador Hotel. Dahmer awoke the next morning to find Tuomi dead with extensive bruising, though he had no memory of killing him.

1987: Diagnosis of Schizoid Personality Disorder

In 1987, Jeffrey Dahmer's probation officer referenced a diagnosis of Dahmer suffering from a schizoid personality disorder for presentation to the court.

1987: Murders in Wisconsin

Starting in 1987, Dahmer admitted to having murdered sixteen young men in Wisconsin.

March 24, 1988: Murder of Richard Guerrero

On March 24, 1988, Jeffrey Dahmer met Richard Guerrero outside a gay bar, lured him to his grandmother's residence with an offer of money, drugged him, strangled him, and dismembered his body.

September 1988: Eviction and Arrest

In September 1988, Jeffrey Dahmer's grandmother asked him to move out due to his drinking and late-night guests. He moved into an apartment on North 24th Street. Shortly after, he was arrested for drugging and sexually fondling a 13-year-old boy.

1988: Molestation of Sinthasomphone's Brother

In 1988, unbeknownst to Dahmer, Konerak Sinthasomphone was the younger brother of a boy he had previously molested.

January 30, 1989: Guilty Plea

On January 30, 1989, Jeffrey Dahmer pleaded guilty to charges of second-degree sexual assault and enticing a child for immoral purposes. Sentencing was suspended until May.

March 25, 1989: Murder of Anthony Sears

On March 25, 1989, Jeffrey Dahmer met Anthony Sears at a gay bar and lured him back to his grandmother's house. There, Dahmer drugged and strangled Sears after they engaged in oral sex.

May 23, 1989: Sentencing and Probation

On May 23, 1989, Jeffrey Dahmer was sentenced to five years' probation and one year in the House of Correction. He was also required to register as a sex offender and was permitted work release to keep his job. He then moved back to his grandmother's house in West Allis.

May 14, 1990: Move to Apartment 213

On May 14, 1990, Dahmer moved into Apartment 213 at 924 North 25th Street, taking Sears' mummified head and genitals with him. His new apartment was close to his workplace, furnished, and cost $300 per month.

June 1990: Murder of Edward Smith

In June 1990, Dahmer lured Edward Smith to his apartment, drugged, and strangled him. He placed Smith's skeleton in his freezer, but the freezing did not remove moisture, and the skeleton was later acidified. When Dahmer tried to dry the skull in the oven, it exploded.

October 1990: Unsuccessful Luring Attempts and Anxiety

In October 1990, Jeffrey Dahmer unsuccessfully attempted to lure men to his apartment. Throughout 1990, Dahmer complained of anxiety and depression to his probation officer, referencing his sexuality, solitary lifestyle, and financial difficulties.

1990: Scarver Commits Murder

In 1990, Scarver, already serving a life sentence for murder, attacked Jeffrey Dahmer and Jesse Anderson in prison, leading to their deaths. Scarver claimed "God told me to do it." He attacked Dahmer in the staff locker room and Anderson in the inmate locker room with a metal bar.

1990: Ernest Miller Murdered

In 1990, one of Dahmer's victims, Ernest Miller, died from a combination of shock and blood loss due to his carotid artery being cut.

February 1991: Murder of Curtis Straughter

In February 1991, Jeffrey Dahmer lured Curtis Straughter to his apartment with an offer of money for nude photos and sex. He drugged, cuffed, and strangled him with a leather strap, then dismembered him, retaining body parts and photographing the process.

February 1991: More Luring Attempts

In February 1991, Jeffrey Dahmer unsuccessfully attempted to lure men to his apartment and complained of anxiety and depression to his probation officer.

May 24, 1991: Murder of Tony Hughes

On May 24, 1991, Dahmer lured Tony Hughes to his apartment with an offer of money to pose for photographs. Hughes was drugged, and Dahmer injected hydrochloric acid into his skull, resulting in his death.

May 26, 1991: Encounter with Konerak Sinthasomphone

On May 26, 1991, Dahmer encountered Konerak Sinthasomphone on Wisconsin Avenue and lured him to his apartment with the promise of money for Polaroid pictures. Dahmer drugged Sinthasomphone and performed oral sex on him, while the body of Tony Hughes was in the bedroom.

July 22, 1991: Tracy Edwards Incident

On July 22, 1991, Dahmer lured Tracy Edwards to his apartment with the offer of $100 to pose for nude photographs. Edwards noticed a foul odor and hydrochloric acid. Dahmer attempted to handcuff Edwards, who noticed nude male posters and a videotape of "The Exorcist III" playing in the bedroom, as well as a 57-gallon drum emitting a strong odor.

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July 23, 1991: Interrogation Begins

On July 23, 1991, Detective Patrick Kennedy began questioning Dahmer about the murders and evidence found in his apartment. Dahmer confessed to sixteen murders in Wisconsin since 1987 and one in Ohio in 1978.

July 25, 1991: Charged with Four Counts of First-Degree Murder

On July 25, 1991, Dahmer was charged with four counts of first-degree murder.

August 5, 1991: Candlelight Vigil Held

On August 5, 1991, a candlelight vigil was held to help heal the Milwaukee community as news of Dahmer's crimes came to light, attended by over 400 people, including community leaders, gay rights activists, and victims' families, all sharing their feelings of pain and anger.

August 1991: Racial Tension Exacerbated

In August 1991, news of Dahmer's murders heightened racial tensions in Milwaukee, already strained for nearly a decade. The conduct of police officers John Balcerzak and Joseph Gabrish regarding victim Konerak Sinthasomphone also contributed to the issue.

November 18, 1991: Description of Intended Altar

On November 18, 1991, Dahmer described his intended altar as a place for meditation where he could feel at home and draw a sense of power.

1991: Final Murders

Between 1978 and 1991, Jeffrey Dahmer killed seventeen young men, including twelve at his North 25th Street apartment. Three victims were murdered and dismembered at his grandmother's West Allis residence.

1991: Skull Drilling Experiments

In 1991, Jeffrey Dahmer killed four victims by drilling holes into their skulls and injecting hydrochloric acid or boiling water into their frontal lobes, attempting to induce a submissive state, though this was not his intention.

1991: Request for and Receipt of Bible

In 1991, after his lengthy confessions, Dahmer requested a copy of the Bible from Detective Murphy, which he received and gradually devoted himself to Christianity.

1991: Complaints about Foul Odors

In 1991, residents of the Oxford Apartments complained about foul smells, sounds of falling objects, and a chainsaw coming from Dahmer's apartment. Dahmer excused the odors by blaming his freezer breaking and tropical fish dying.

January 13, 1992: Guilty Plea to 15 Counts of Murder

On January 13, 1992, at a preliminary hearing, Dahmer pleaded guilty but insane to 15 counts of murder.

January 30, 1992: Trial Begins

On January 30, 1992, Dahmer's trial began in Milwaukee for 15 counts of first-degree murder before Judge Laurence Gram. The trial focused on whether Dahmer suffered from a mental or personality disorder.

February 17, 1992: Sentenced to Life Imprisonment

On February 17, 1992, Jeffrey Dahmer was sentenced to fifteen terms of life imprisonment for fifteen homicides he had committed in Wisconsin. Dahmer was found to be legally sane at his trial.

May 1, 1992: Sentenced to 16th Term of Life Imprisonment

On May 1, 1992, Dahmer was sentenced to a 16th term of life imprisonment after pleading guilty to the murder of Steven Hicks.

November 1992: Oxford Apartments Demolished

In November 1992, the Oxford Apartments, located at 924 North 25th Street where Dahmer killed twelve of his victims, were demolished, leaving the site a vacant lot after plans for a memorial garden, playground, or new housing failed.

May 1994: Baptism by Roy Ratcliff

In May 1994, Dahmer was baptized by Roy Ratcliff, a minister in the Church of Christ, in the prison whirlpool.

July 3, 1994: Attack by Osvaldo Durruthy

On July 3, 1994, a fellow inmate, Osvaldo Durruthy, attempted to slash Dahmer's throat with a razor embedded in a toothbrush in the prison chapel. Dahmer received superficial wounds.

November 28, 1994: Jeffrey Dahmer's Death

On November 28, 1994, Jeffrey Dahmer died. He was known for killing and dismembering seventeen men and boys between 1978 and 1991.

1994: Lionel Publishes Book

In 1994, Lionel Dahmer published "A Father's Story" and donated a portion of the proceeds to the victims' families; however, three families later sued him, citing reasons such as using their names without consent and parental negligence.

A Father's Story

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1994: Discussions with Roy Ratcliff

In 1994, Ratcliff visited Dahmer weekly, and they discussed death. Dahmer questioned whether he was sinning against God by continuing to live. He also stated in an interview with Stone Phillips on Dateline NBC that he felt accountable to God.

May 15, 1995: Scarver Sentenced

On May 15, 1995, Scarver received two additional life sentences for the murders of Jeffrey Dahmer and Jesse Anderson.

September 1995: Dahmer's Body Cremated

In September 1995, Jeffrey Dahmer's body was cremated, and the ashes were divided between his parents, following his will's instructions for cremation and no services.

December 1995: Dahmer's Brain Cremated

In December 1995, Jeffrey Dahmer's brain, initially retained for medical research due to a disagreement between his parents, was eventually cremated.

1996: Auction of Dahmer's Estate Announced

In 1996, an auction of Dahmer's estate was announced to benefit the families of eleven of his victims, sparking controversy, but a civic group, Milwaukee Civic Pride, raised funds to purchase and destroy many of Dahmer's possessions. The possessions were later destroyed and buried.

November 27, 2000: Death of Joyce Flint

On November 27, 2000, Joyce Flint, Jeffrey Dahmer's mother, died of cancer. She had attempted suicide on at least one prior occasion. Her younger son, David, changed his name and lives in anonymity.

January 2023: Death of Shari Dahmer

In January 2023, Lionel Dahmer's second wife, Shari, passed away. She lived with Lionel and remained supportive of him despite his son's crimes.

December 5, 2023: Death of Lionel Dahmer

On December 5, 2023, Lionel Dahmer, Jeffrey Dahmer's father, died of natural causes. He had lived with his second wife, Shari, until her death, and both remained supportive of Jeffrey despite his crimes.