To help make his 957-year prison sentence go by faster, the incarcerated Dahmer wrote back to some of the many people who sent him letters.
One of his best known correspondents was Mary Muscia of Ilinois – whose exchange with the killer ran from the middle of ’93 until his death in November the following year.
Formerly a pen pal of Ted Bundy’s, Mary was evidently adept at befriending deadly men, and she received around 35 letters from Dahmer in total.
While Dahmer could be shameless in his manipulation and solicitations for money – even admitting to his father and stepmother that he maintained a “relationship” with one benefactor purely for the financial support – he seemed to genuinely care for, and sometimes empathised with, Mary within his limited capacity to do so.
Obtained directly from her husband in the mid-1990s, the following letter shows a more personable side to Dahmer, covering prison life, his passion for plants, and an attentive fondness towards his pen pal – all while burning through his yearly quota of exclamation marks.
Transcription1:
9-10-94
My Dearest Mary,
Hello my Lovely Summer Orchid, my Beautiful Wildflower, how are you? Thanks so much for all of the great cards and letters! The verses from the “Song of Songs were just the best! I sure can’t top that but here’s a song by anne murrey that I thought you might like. Its called: “Could I Have This Dance”
“I’ll always remember the song they were playing the first time we danced, and I knew as we swayed to the music, and held to each other, I fell in love with you. Could I have this dance for the rest of my life? Would you be my partner everynight? When we’re together, it feels so right. Could I have this dance for the rest of my life? I’ll always remember that magic moment, when I helpd you close to me. As we moved together, I knew forever, you’re all I ever need. Could I have this dance for the rest of my life? Would you be my partner everynight? When we’re together it feels so right. Could I have this dance for the rest of my life?”
Well Mary, could I?! Boy, it sure sounds like you’ve been busy this past month! You’ve had an interesting adventure too! I was glad to hear that the felon that took you for a ride, and then home didn’t hurt you, please be careful Mary! I don’t think I’ve ever been on a Harley before, I didn’t know that you liked bikes, you should buy yourself one. How are things going as far as work is concerned? I still don’t have a regular job here.2 I got a good laugh when I read about the things that your mother said, and what some of the guests at the wedding think Orchids look like!!! I’m glad the wedding went well even though not everyone liked the orchids! It would have been fun to go to the wedding with you just to see what it was like. Hey, we like some of the same things. I have a cassette tape of the “Three Tenors”, and I’ve seen them perform on T.V too. Your right, those encores were great! You know, the prison does have one or two Bible studies, but I’ve never gone to one yet. But, I do go to the chapel service on Sunday night, it lasts for about one hour. Different groups from the area churches give the service. I do keep you in my prayers, and thank you for doing the same for me!
The small card with the dove is simple but quite pretty. I have trouble remembering some of the Jewish holidays – too many feast days for me to keep track of – but your absolutely right, the Jewish holidays are more Godly and Biblical than some of the Gentile holidays. It would be funny to see if the guards thought Hebrew writting was a code! Have you ever seen any religious cards with the front picture in hologram form? You know, the picture looks like its moving when you tilt the card at different angles. It would be nice to have a hologram card of the “Praying Hands” on something like that! Speaking of cards, that orchid card really is beautiful! I don’t know if thats a Cymbidium or what! There are so many different hybrids nowadays, but, since you do know a bit about orchids, thats probably what they are. For a good book, that will keep one busy for hours, I’d recommend Shakespeare. I have a big book of his complete works but I’ve hardly read any of it yet! Its all written in 1611 old english too! yes, that “To Hell and Back”3 was a rather unique book wasn’t it! Hey, when I drink coffee, that same thing happens to me! My handwriting is bad anyway! Its good that you stayed away from the drink this Labor Day. If I was still out on the street, I’m sure that I would have been drinking, and come Tuesday morning, had a terrible hangover! I’m proud of, and happy for you Mary!
That was so sweet of you to tie a yellow ribbon on the fence for me! I used to sit and have coffee and donuts at that very Dunkin Donuts shop. If you ever make another trip back, you really should try to go the Domes4, they’re great! Joe is quite an artist, good imagination! I used to draw stuff like that when I was a kid too. Maybe Joe will make a career of his artwork, what do you think!?
The judge was supposed to decide on the garnishment on aug. 31st but last week my lawyer told me that he postponed his decision until Sept. 30th! Now I have to wait another 3 weeks to find out whats going to happen – I hate that! During the past few months, I’ve been borrowing things like stamps, envelopes and tobbacco from the other inmates. I’m going to have a lot to pay back at start of Oct! Things should get back to normal by then – I hope! If I’m not able to write to you again this month, its only because I’ve not been able to get any more envelopes, OK?
Please remember Mary, that I cherish and treasure you just the way you are, and I always will! You’re a truly beautiful lady, and a great blessing in my life!
Roses Are Red
Violets Are Blue
I Think You’re Wonderful
And I Love You Too!!!
All my love & many hugs,
Jeff
oxoxo!
A special thank you to Gunnar
🐶🤘
Footnotes:
- All spelling mistakes and grammatical errors are Dahmer’s own ↩︎
- Dahmer had previously earned 24 cents an hour as a prison janitor but lost that job the year before, after impersonating a prison staffer over the telephone. About a month after this letter to Mary, he – desperate to escape the boredom of his cell – requested another cleaning job. A few weeks later, he was murdered while carrying out that work ↩︎
- Published in 1993 by Christian cardiologist Maurice Rawlings, To Hell and Back recounts near-death experiences from people who claimed to have seen Hell while they were clinically dead. Dahmer had previously asked Mary to order a copy for him, saying he thought it sounded “interesting.” He later mailed it back so she could read it ↩︎
- AKA: Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory. Dahmer is photographed at the Domes here (circa ’83) with his dad, brother and grandma (stepmother behind the camera) ↩︎
Wow, I didn’t know about this letter. I don’t know if Jeffrey’s letter to Mary was pure flattery, but he says some nice things to her. I didn’t know she would like The Three Tenors. My sister loves them. Thanks for posting. Excellent as always. 😊
Woah. New week, new content! This was a really cool letter. Would it be ok if I share it somewhere else? ?
I am fucking jealous arrrrgggh!!!!!
Recognize his style of writing, yeah. I have seen only some parts of this etter before.
Also, I have heard Mary Muscia wote to Bundy too. So…..little bit difficult to understand it all for me. Some strange feelings. Should I be jealous at all (?)
Thanks so much for this <3 Dl you think you could do a big post of all his known letters?
Another excellent post, Sophie. I appreciate the range of sub-fields you cover within this case, and that your focus isn’t solely on Jeffrey himself. Your recent piece on the jurors was also very well researched. It’s good that you have a page reminding people of the victims, too — though I’ve also enjoyed all your posts about Park Dietz. Keep up the good work!