David Dahmer is an American citizen who was propelled to unsolicited media attention upon the discovery of his brother’s hideous crimes. The younger brother of American serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, Dahmer would have remained unknown to the general public without his blood ties with Jeffrey, who murdered and dismembered 17 male victims between 1978 and 1991. While they were separated from each other at a young age, the brothers spent a few years as a family in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Known as the Milwaukee Cannibal or the Milwaukee Monster, Jeffrey Dahmer was obsessed with the male body and bones. In his formative years, he would often wonder how animals fit together and set out to make discoveries by dismembering them. His crimes involved necrophilia, cannibalism, and preservation of certain body parts, especially the genital and head. Jeffrey’s criminal inclination is said to be linked to his troubled childhood which didn’t seem to rub off on David Dahmer. Jeffrey has been dead since November 28, 1994, but his brother has continued to keep a low profile. Where is David Dahmer now and what has he been up to?
David Dahmer’s Early Life as Jeffrey Dahmer’s Younger Brother
David Dahmer was born on December 18, 1966, to Lionel and Joyce Dahmer. While his older brother Jeffrey was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Dahmer was born in Doylestown, Ohio where the family moved to in October 1966. Jeffrey was given the privilege of naming his younger brother and he chose David.
Dahmer’s father, Lionel Herbert Dahmer, is of German and Welsh ancestry. He studied chemistry at the Marquette University before working as a research chemist. On the other hand, his mother, Joyce Annette Dahmer (née Flint), of English, Norwegian, and Irish ancestry, was a teletype machine instructor. As the last child of his parents, David Dahmer reportedly got more attention than his brother and this negatively affected Jeffrey. The latter felt abandoned most of his early life and into his teens which resulted in unhealthy habits and interests.
David Dahmer reportedly graduated from The University of Cincinnati. However, his course of study is not public knowledge. His brother also enrolled in Ohio State University (OSU) but couldn’t graduate due to alcohol abuse. His grades were so poor he had to drop out after the first semester.
He Was Separated From Jeffrey After Their Parents’ Divorce
David Dahmer’s relationship with Jeffrey Dahmer was strained. This was largely because Jeffrey thought his younger brother was loved more by their parents, especially their mom. True to his thoughts, their mom took David Dahmer with her after her divorce from their father was finalized in 1978. Dahmer who was 12 at the time stayed with his mom in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin while Jeffrey remained in the family house. Consequently, Jeffrey didn’t have much influence on his younger brother growing up.
David Dahmer’s Reaction to His Brother’s Crimes
At first, David Dahmer thought his big brother was helping to bury dead animals when he witnessed him dissecting one. He was still a little kid at the time he learned about his brother’s animal graveyard. As such, he didn’t think much of it. As Jeffrey Dahmer’s began to surface, David Dahmer’s reaction was to disappear to an unknown destination where he resides under a new identity. He cut ties with his Dahmer heritage and was never seen at his brother’s trial.
David Dahmer Now Has a New Identity and Living a Decent Life
After learning about Jeffrey Dahmer’s crimes, David Dahmer cut ties with his birth family and retreated from public life. He also changed his name to an unknown name. Nevertheless, he seems to be in touch with his father and stepmother, Shari Dahmer who swore not to disclose his new identity. They are obviously happy with the man he has grown into.
While David Dahmer has kept his life away from media attention, some reports suggest he now has a family with two kids and is doing well in his career. “He’s very happy,” Shari told Larry King Live audiences during an interview. When he was finally spotted by a reporter for The U.S. Sun in September 2023, Dahmer acted ignorant and threatened to call the police. He was shopping for groceries at the time and it seems Dahmer looks like he is living a good and peaceful life.
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