Some of My Dahmer Collection

Back in 2020, I tried to track down a copy of ‘A Father’s Story’ by Lionel Dahmer (which – before its reissue the following year – was pretty rare here in the UK). Eventually, I found one on eBay, and the excitement of obtaining not only another source of Dahmer information, but also a kind of relic, made me start to collect whatever I could related to the subject. Including books, newspapers, press photos, rare documents, magazines, and random bric-a-brac pertaining to Dahmer’s presence in pop culture, parody, and the place between fascination and revulsion.

These items deepen the study of the case in a tangible way; provide a physical connection to its history (however morbid); and, in some instances, serve as tokens of the friendships I’ve made through this interest. There are also deeper, more personal reasons for collecting and researching – including channeling the destructive energy of a former lifestyle into something questionably healthier.

None of the items are meant to disrespect the people Dahmer killed or the many lives he destroyed. Ultimately Jeffrey Dahmer was a serial killer and sex offender, not a leader of men or a member of a boy band. I share some of these items out of an interest in the case, not the glorification of its perpetrator.

Books and Magazines

^{Some of my Dahmer books and magazines}

A few favourites include:

• The Shrine of Jeffrey Dahmer by Brian Masters – Generally regarded as the definitive text on the case, and vastly informed by Masters’ access to unreleased tape recordings of Dahmer’s sessions with psychiatrist Dr. Smail; his attendance at the trial; and his personal meetings with Lionel and Shari Dahmer.
  
  
• A Father’s Story by Lionel Dahmer – A deeply personal and reflective account of what it means to have inadvertently sired a serial killer; the inner and familial turmoil that followed in the wake of Jeff’s crimes; and Lionel’s search for answers in the life that came before them.
  
  
• Grilling Dahmer by Pat Kennedy and Robyn Maharaj – Immensely readable insight into Dahmer’s time in police custody by the legend that is Detective Kennedy.
  
  
• Dark Journey, Deep Grace by Roy Ratcliff – An account of Dahmer’s spiritual detour and time in prison, from the perspective of the minister who baptised him and remained a steady presence in his final months. While Ratcliff presents the “devout Bible Boy” side of Jeff, certain male pen pals – like Jason Moss – were undoubtedly left with a different impression. A copy signed by Roy is one of my most prized possessions.

Newspapers and Clippings

Including three scrapbooks of Dahmer coverage from The Milwaukee Journal, Sentinel, and various magazines – clipped and curated by a teenage Wisconsinite between 1991 and 1992.

Original ‘Milwaukee Journal’ / ‘Sentinel’ contact sheets from the trial

Some previously-unreleased photos from these sheets can be found here.

Two-page letter and envelope sent from Dahmer to a penpal from prison

In which Dahmer commends “the protective grace of our great Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” for sparing him from serious injury or death during an attempt on his life the previous month. “All praise, glory and honor belongs to Him!”

^{Detail of Damer’s handwriting and a CCI-stamped envelope}

Original subpoena and juror badge from the time of the Dahmer trial

“They plucked me off the face of the Earth,” said Lori Sundt, of being summoned to the Dahmer jury in ’92. “I realised there was souls behind the names, and the victims’ families were in the audience, and it was a heavy weight to carry.”

Dahmer files

Includes transcripts; notes by Lionel Dahmer; parole, psychiatric and prison documents – some sourced through private collectors and archives.

Random logistical items

With postcards and matchbooks from several of the locations Dahmer frequented; a postcard sent from Milwaukee in 1988; a patch from Revere Highschool, Ohio; and an artists depiction of Dahmer featured in John Borowski’s book: Dahmer’s Confession.

Fax sent from Lionel Dahmer to Gerald Boyle (RE: Halcion)

Under the impression that his son had regularly been using Halcion – a fast-acting sleeping tablet – Lionel Dahmer wrote to attorney Gerald Boyle to express his concerns “that there may have been a contributing effect to [Jeff’s] psychosis.” Attached was an article from The Pittsburgh Press underlining the drugs link to “severe psychological disturbances.”

In reality, Jeff admitted that he seldom used the pills personally and his repeat prescriptions had been a way of ensuring he readily had the means to render most of his victims unconscious before strangulation.

The sad irony with which Lionel explores the possibility that Jeff himself was a victim of the drug is also testament to the lengths to which the analytical and scientifically-minded father went in an attempt to understand what had happened to his firstborn.

Videos and DVDs

Rubble from the Oxford Apartments

Where Dahmer committed most of his crimes.

Obtained by another collector in the early 90s, shortly after the Oxford Apartments had been demolished and their remnants had yet to be cleared away.

He recounted that he and a friend had driven to the site from Missouri – drawn by an interest in the case and a morbid curiosity that had gripped many at the time (and still does to this day).

Deeply hurt by the damage that had been caused to their community – and inundated with out-of-towners hoping to scavenge their own souvenirs – some locals were understandably suspicious of them at first, before the tension was softened by moments of humanity.

“We bought a 12-pack with us,” he explained, “so we were handing those out and it was all good. We just collected some of the debris and rocks that were on the ground. I remember one guy asking us where we were from and hitting us with: “Don’t you have rocks in St. Louis?” There was also some lady hanging out of an open top floor window in the next building. She was curious as to what we were doing and could see we were handing out beer. We heard her yelling something, but couldn’t really make it out until one of the guys near us says: “Hey— how ’bout a beer for my mama?!” Might’ve been the Rocks in St. Louis Guy.”

These fragments of brick and concrete are a reminder that Dahmer’s crimes weren’t just headlines.

They devastated a real place, full of real people whose lives were as three-dimensional as the rubble left behind.

Special thanks to GG and Steve

Sources:

• TMJ4