When Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story debuted on Netflix, viewers were both introduced and brought back to the events that unfolded at the hands of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer.
Portrayed by American Horror Story actor Evan Peters, the series follows Jeffrey as he murders 17 men between the years 1978 and 1991 while simultaneously evading the police. It wasn't until escaped victim Tracy Edwards (played by Shaun J. Brown) approached the authorities about Jeffrey drugging and attempting to kill him in July 1991 did they learn the true extent of his doings over the course of 13 years.
In the first episode of Monster, folks learned a disturbing trait Jeffrey had as a part of his killing sprees. After he committed the crime, he would take Polaroid photos in various horrific states to document what he had done to his victims. He didn't know it at the time, but these photos would eventually lead to his conviction. Here's what you need to know about the Polaroid photos and why Jeffrey felt he needed to take them:
How did Jeffrey Dahmer's Polaroid photos help lead to his arrest?
According to StyleCaster, the Milwaukee police were made aware of Jeffrey's horrible crimes when a handcuffed Tracy Edwards flagged them down at 11:30 p.m. on July 22, 1991. He explained to the officers that a "freak" had kidnapped and handcuffed him, and that he needed their help to get the handcuffs off. When their keys couldn't do the job, Edwards agreed to take the police back to Jeffrey's apartment.
Upon entering the premises, one of the officers noticed an offensive smell and boxes of hydrochloric acid strewn all over the floor. As they began their search through Jeffrey's living space, Tracy led them to Jeffrey's bedroom, claiming that's where he housed the intended murder weapon.
When they opened Jeffrey's bedside drawer, they discovered a knife and 84 Polaroid photos featuring victims in various states of dismemberment. Rolf Mueller, the officer who uncovered the photos, was so shocked by the discovery that he uttered to his partner, "These are for real." This led to Jeffrey trying to fight off arrest to no avail. The officers handcuffed him on the spot and took him into custody with him uttering, "For what I did, I should be dead."
Upon further investigation, the authorities discovered something even more harrowing. According to The Sun, he not only had photo evidence but also kept some of his victims' body parts, including skulls and hearts.
What was the reason behind Jeffrey Dahmer taking Polaroids of his victims?
It's hard to say exactly what compelled him to document the entire killing process. According to Biography.com, one of the reasons he may have done this was to see his victims "at various stages of the murder process, so he could recollect each act afterward and relive the experience."
ELLE Australia offers another potential reason for Jeffrey keeping the pictures and body parts. The outlet cited The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology, stating that he often felt lonely and isolated from the rest of society. Therefore, he had these horrific mementos "to keep him company."
Coupled with this evidence, Jeffrey eventually went on to plead guilty to 16 counts of murder and received 16 life sentences for his crimes. He died in prison in 1994.
FAQs
The Dahmer Polaroids were a collection of Polaroid photographs taken by American serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer of his victims, both before and after their deaths. The photos were found in Dahmer's apartment when he was arrested in 1991.
What were Jeffrey Dahmer's last words? ›
Jeffrey Dahmer
Convicted of murdering 17 young men, Dahmer was killed by a fellow inmate in prison on November 28, 1994. His final words, spoken to his killer, were eerie: "I don't care if I live or die. Go ahead and kill me." Dahmer's resignation hinted at the tormented soul behind the monstrous acts.
How did Tracy Edwards escape? ›
Eventually, Edwards made for the front door, striking Dahmer in the jaw, and opened both its locks simultaneously. Once free, with handcuffs dangling from his wrists, he approached cops and explained everything that happened to him.
What did the Polaroid camera do? ›
Polaroid photography focused on minimizing the time between taking the photograph and viewing the image. However, the first Polaroid camera, which debuted in 1948, still relied on the photographer to time the development of the film, pull out the print to burst a pod of developing chemicals, and peel away the top film.
Who was the worst serial killer? ›
7 of History's Most Notorious Serial Killers
- Jack the Ripper. We call him “Jack the Ripper,” but we don't really know who the person behind one of the older and most notorious murder sprees was. ...
- Jeffrey Dahmer. ...
- Harold Shipman. ...
- John Wayne Gacy. ...
- H.H. Holmes. ...
- Pedro Lopez. ...
- Ted Bundy.
Dahmer was a big fan of Black Sabbath. So much so, that Ultimate Guitar reports that he would listen to them while raping, murdering, dismembering and eating his victims. Some of his favorite songs were "Paranoid," "The Wizard," and "Iron Man."
What was Jeffrey Dahmer's GPA? ›
His overall GPA was 0.45/4.0. On one occasion, Lionel paid a surprise visit to his son, only to find his room strewn with empty liquor bottles. Despite his father having paid in advance for the second term, Dahmer dropped out of OSU after just three months. Dahmer, pictured in West Germany in 1979.
What was found in Jeffrey's apartment? ›
The authorities found 11 bodies in Dahmer's apartment after his arrest in 1991, along with blood stains, seven skulls, two hearts, two skeletons, a pair of severed hands, multiple dismembered torsos, and other human organs. They also found Polaroid photos, weapons, and acid.
Who escaped Ted Bundy? ›
Kathy Kleiner Rubin knows what it is like to endure trauma. In 1978, she survived serial killer Ted Bundy. He had escaped from a Colorado jail and made his way to Florida State University.
Was Tracy his last victim? ›
In total, Dahmer killed 17 victims—usually young, gay, Black men—between 1978 and 1991, but one person got away: Tracy Edwards. He was the only man to escape from Dahmer's clutches, and his story helped lead to Dahmer's eventual arrest and conviction.
Shooting on the Sony Venice (23:46) Warm approach to lighting (32:27)
Why do they take Polaroids of models? ›
Modeling digitals/Polaroids similarly showcase a model's unique look and style by capturing their current, natural, unfiltered beauty. “Digitals are unedited, allowing agencies, casting directors, and clients to see the model's natural features,” says founder and owner of TNG Agency Noelle McCann.
Did they use real photos in Dahmer? ›
In the Jeffrey Dahmer show, are the dead bodies in the photos he took real? Very real indeed, these are the actual photos of the victims found in Dahmer's apartment. Did Jeffrey Dahmer mean to kill his first victim? In the new TV series that's out on Netflix, it looked like he instantly regretted doing so.
Why did Dahmer take off his glasses in court? ›
Yes, but only for a very specific reason. Dahmer, despite having worn his glasses for a significant portion of his life, removed his glasses in the courtroom. His stepmom Shari Dahmer told Inside Edition in 1992, "He's not wearing glasses so that he can't see people. He panics."
