Fast Facts:
- Born: May 21, 1960
- Birthplace: West Allis, Wisconsin
- Education: Ohio State University (dropped out)
- Military service: U.S. ArmyNewsweek: Secrets Of A Serial Killer (February 3, 1992)
- Died: November 28, 1994
- Date of arrest: July 22, 1991
- Date of conviction: 1992
- Convicted of: 15 counts of murder
- Sentence: 957 years
- No. of victims: 17
- Allegedly engaged in necrophilia and cannibalism
- Wanted to create "zombies"
- Many of his victims were blackTime: The Little Flat of Horrors (August 5, 1991)
Early Life
When Dahmer was a child, he enjoyed dissecting dead animals and would collect roadkill and skulls. After his parents went through a messy divorce, Dahmer became withdrawn and began to drink heavily. After flunking out of Ohio State University, Dahmer enlisted in the U.S. Army but only served two years of a six year stint.Newsweek: Secrets Of A Serial Killer (February 3, 1992)
Killings
Dahmer claimed his first victim in 1978, but did not kill again until 1987. However, over the next four years, Dahmer would engage in a string of grisly murders that would culminate in his capture in 1991. Between 1986 and 1988, Dahmer was arrested twice for exposing himself, and once for fondling a 14-year-old boy. Dahmer served 10 months in prison for the latter crime.Newsweek: Secrets Of A Serial Killer (February 3, 1992) In his murders, Dahmer would often dismember his victims, eat parts of their body, and engage in necrophilia with the corpses.Time: The Little Flat of Horrors (August 5, 1991) In 1991, he was captured when one of his victims escaped, still handcuffed, and alerted police.Newsweek: Secrets Of A Serial Killer (February 3, 1992)