With the release of “Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Series” on Netflix, the legendary serial murderer, his 17 victims, and the Dahmer family—including brother David Dahmer (who later changed his name), and father Lionel Dahmer—are all back in the public eye.
Lionel Dahmer, represented by Richard Jenkins, is taken to the police station in the pilot episode to hear about his son's 17 murders, which occurred between 1978 and 1991.
Jeffrey Dahmer was found guilty of the murders of fifteen male minors and adult males committed between 1978 and 1991, and he confessed to two further slayings.
Since then, Lionel has made it public that he saw signals of trouble in his kid from a young age onward.
Former chemist Lionel, now 86, has mainly avoided the spotlight in recent years. However, he has given interviews to the media and written a book about his life as Dahmer's parent.
Who Exactly is Lionel Dahmer?
Jeffrey Dahmer, an American serial killer, and his younger brother David Dahmer both have their father, Lionel, to thank. In Wisconsin, where he and his family had settled, he toiled as a chemist.
Jeffrey and David are Lionel and Joyce's children; nevertheless, the couple split when Jeffrey was 18 years old. Lionel's second wife, Shari, and he tied the knot in 1978.
What Has Lionel Said Regarding the Crimes Committed by His Son?
Most recently, Lionel may be seen in the upcoming Jeffrey Dahmer: Mind of a Monster on Investigation Discovery. Lionel discussed his relationship with Jeffrey and his dismay at his son's criminal behavior in his interview.
Jeffrey was sentenced to 10 months in jail for second-degree sexual assault before he was captured for the 17 women he had raped, murdered, and mutilated. In 1990, while Jeffrey was ten months into his sentence, his father Lionel wrote to Judge William Gardner appealing for assistance.
“My concerns about Jeff's future success on the streets are well founded. It has been quite difficult for me to advocate for the start of treatment “Explained Lionel.
“I'm writing to you in the earnest hope that you can do anything to improve the life of my son, whom I adore and for whom I desire the best possible future. However, I believe that this is our final opportunity to start something meaningful and that you have the key.”
In a later episode, Lionel reveals how he initially coped with his son's death in 1994. “To hear that Jeff had been murdered was really awful,” he stated. To put it bluntly: “It had a profound effect on me.”
Why Did Jeffrey Dahmer's Father Lionel Give So Many Interviews?
In an interview with Larry King from 2004, Lionel highlighted his persistent interest in discussing Dahmer by saying: “I feel compelled to share my thoughts on the qualities I believe parents should prioritize as they raise their children. If I could give any advice to parents, it would be this: treat shyness seriously. Have a heart-to-heart discussion.”
Lionel said that he and his ex-wife Joyce were completely unaware of their son Dahmer's preoccupation with mutilated animals and roadkill. In the Netflix show, it's made to look like Lionel was aware of his macabre interests.
Is It True That Lionel Dahmer Visited Jeffrey Dahmer in Prison?
Yep. The Netflix show reveals that Lionel paid a visit to Dahmer behind bars. The portrayal of such trips was spot on.
Lionel said that he and Dahmer had gotten closer after the real-life Dahmer's arrest in 1991. Lionel would pay Dahmer many visits in prison and keep in constant contact with him by phone.
When asked about his death in 1994, Lionel said: “It was horrible to learn that Jeff had been slain. I was profoundly impacted by it.”
Lionel's Response to Jeffrey Dahmer's Death
According to reports, Lionel Dahmer was a daily visitor at the facility, where he met his son sternly. When Jeffrey was shot dead by Christopher Scarver in 1994, Lionel Dahmer appeared relieved.
Neither can we hold him responsible for celebrating his son's death? Why would someone choose to be born if all they could do was bring bad luck upon their loved ones? You can bet that Lionel Dahmer was happy to hear that his son had claimed another victim.
Where is Lionel Dahmer at the Moment?
On July 29, 1936, in West Allis, Wisconsin, Lionel Dahmer entered this world. The 86-year-old is still alive and residing in Seville with his wife Shari Jordan, whom he wed in 1978, as verified by the Ohio Resident Database. Since August 2004, he has been a registered voter in Medina County.
Lionel has been on a number of television shows and in various interviews over the past two decades, but he has otherwise maintained a private life.
