Where Is Jeffrey Dahmer's Brother Now? Here's What Happened to David in Real-Life
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Over the last month, TV-goers have tuned into Netflix to learn about the crimes of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer in Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story and the docuseries Conversations With a Killer: The Jeffrey Dahmer Tapes.
In both shows, viewers learn about the 17 murders Jeffrey committed between the years 1978 and 1991. His family dynamic is also explored with his father Lionel, mother Joyce, stepmother Shari and others. But the productions don't go into much detail about one other important family member: Jeffrey's younger brother, David Dahmer.
According to outlets, Jeffrey's relationship with David was rocky. When he was arrested in the early 1990s, David didn't visit his brother in prison and didn't appear for court dates. More than two decades after Jeffrey's arrest, folks are wondering, who is his brother and where is he today. Here's what you need to know about David Dahmer and his relationship with the rest of the family.
Who is David Dahmer?
David Dahmer was born on December 18, 1966, seven years after Jeffrey's birth on May 21, 1960. While the brothers' relationship was initially strong, it later suffered when Jeffrey reportedly started resenting the attention David received as an infant per The Sun.
Their brotherhood further splintered when Lionel and Joyce separated in 1978, with the former couple fighting over the custody of their younger son. Today reported the battle over David left Jeffrey out to fend for himself. "There was much discussion and worry over who should have custody of David and where he would live, but no thought was ever given as to what should happen to Jeff, or where he would be expected to live," the article states, referencing Brian Masters' 1993 biography The Shrine of Jeffrey Dahmer.
David eventually went to live with their mother in Wisconsin, while Jeffrey stayed with his father and murdered his first victim that same year.
Where is David Damher today?
Around the time David graduated from the University of Cincinnati, Ohio in 1991, the police caught Jeffrey for the murders with photographic evidence. The 18 year old chose not to stand by his brother by not coming to any of Jeffrey's court-related appearances. To further separate the connection with his brother, David decided to legally change his name and avoid discussing any elements of his childhood in the press.
In a 2004 interview on Larry King Live, Lionel and Shari gave the last known insight into how David fared after the events of his brother's trial and subsequent death. According to them, David not only found himself a good career, but he has a wife and two children. "We’ve promised to keep him completely secret," Lionel said at the time.
"I'm proud of the name Dahmer," he added. "My father was a schoolteacher and a barber. He brought himself up from the bootstraps."
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