Before Netflix launched a new hit called “Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story” on September 21, which is based on the true story of cannibalistic serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, who was known as the “Butcher of Milwaukee,” his parents, Lionel Dahmer and Joyce Dahmer, were also being discovered in this regard.
However, Lionel Dahmer has become less visible over the past 30 years after he discussed his son’s life after being arrested. Considering the bitter fact that he had to accept following his son’s cruelty, people wonder how he did for a living and whether or not he is still alive. Let’s find out the facts about him below!
What Did Jeffrey Dahmer’s Parents Do for a Living?
Lionel and Joyce Dahmer’s professions became a public curiosity after the arrest of his son, Jeffrey Dahmer. According to “The Shrine of Jeffrey Dahmer,” a biography written by Brian Masters, Jeffrey’s parents married on August 22, 1959. However, the Dahmers divorced in 1978.
Jeffrey Dahmer’s father, Lionel Dahmer, is known as a chemist who started working as a research supervisor in analytical chemistry around 1968. But for now, there is not much information about where he works or how he lives since his family life is private.
However, the Ohio Resident Database reported that Lionel Dahmer, an 86-year-old man, is still alive, and he now lives with his wife, Shari Jordan, Jeffrey Dahmer’s stepmother, in Seville. Since August 2004, he has been registered to vote in Medina County.
While Joyce Dahmer, Jeffrey’s mother, at the time of her death, was known as founder of “The Living Room” an HIV community center which opened in Fresno, California, in 1996 and a case manager at the Central Valley AIDS Team.
Who Are Lionel Dahmer and Joyce Dahmer?
Lionel Dahmer was born on 29th July 1936, in West Allis, Wisconsin. Talking about his education, he graduated from Marquette University in 1962, holding a master’s degree. According to The Tab, he then received his PhD from Iowa State University in 1966.
Joyce Dahmer was born on 7th February 1936, and died on November 27, 2000, due to breast cancer. After Jeffrey Dahmer was arrested, Joyce Dahmer is not too much discussed, but some sources revealed that she had issues of her own and even attempted to commit suicide and also struggled with depression.
How Did Jeffrey Dahmer’s Parents Tell About His Life?
Over the past two decades, Lionel and Joyce Dahmer have been seen on some TV shows and have been transparent about their son’s childhood. They also acknowledged that they didn’t notice his son’s mental state or killer instinct when he was younger.
Regardless of their divorce, they brought up Jeffrey Dahmer in a typical home and did not treat him badly. Some sources, however, revealed that Jeffrey Dahmer was a disturbed and isolated kid, meaning he was quite shunned or even farthest from the people around him. The arrival of David Dahmer, Jeffrey Dahmer’s brother, only worsened the situation. He soon viewed him as a rival for their parents’ limited attention and time.
Lionel Dahmer wrote a book called “A Father’s Story.” The book is about his son’s life. He acknowledged that he didn’t believe what his son was doing. However, he is also aware that this might all be his fault because as a child, he tended not to pay attention to the growth and development of his children because of his busy pursuit of a PhD.
Lionel described his son as an introverted and quiet child. That’s why Jeffrey Dahmer could hide secrets from his parents and friends regarding what he did and felt. He further revealed that when Jeffrey Dahmer was between the ages of 12 and 14, he spent time riding his bike around country roads, collecting roadkill, and burying the carcasses of the animals.
For him and Joyce, this was the only concerning aspect of Dahmer’s early life that they did not notice until much later. Lionel stated that his odd habit was initially performed due to his curiosity for science rather than a penchant for cannibalism and even murder.
In addition, Joyce revealed that her son was “the victim of an obsession” during a 1993 interview with Hard Copy. She was also blamed for what Jeffrey became, but she didn’t take responsibility. Joyce thought that his son actually needed help since he was not a monster and deserved some help due to the mental illness he suffered.
During Jeffrey’s interrogation, he stated that he was never subjected to abuse. Both his parents loved him and his brother too. Thus, he also asserted that his parents shouldn’t be blamed for his heinous deeds.
A bookworm and researcher especially related to law and citizenship education. I spend time every day in front of the internet and the campus library.
