Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer, better known as the Milwaukee Cannibal or the Milwaukee Monster, was an American serial killer and sex offender who committed the murder and dismemberment of 17 men and boys between 1978 and 1991. His heinous crimes, including necrophilia and cannibalism, shocked the world and left an indelible mark on the annals of true crime history.
Dahmer's reign of terror came to an abrupt end on July 22, 1991, when he was apprehended by the Milwaukee Police Department. His capture marked a pivotal moment in the investigation into the disappearances of several young men, and it paved the way for the uncovering of his gruesome crimes.
The question of who killed Jeffrey Dahmer and the circumstances surrounding his death has intrigued the public for decades. This article delves into the events leading up to his demise, the person responsible for his death, and the aftermath of his passing.
Who Killed Jeffrey Dahmer?
The notorious serial killer met his end at the hands of a fellow inmate.
- Christopher Scarver
- Fellow inmate
- Fatal confrontation
- Beaten to death
- November 28, 1994
- Columbia Correctional Institution
Scarver's motives for killing Dahmer remain unclear, with speculations ranging from Dahmer's behavior in prison to Scarver's own history as a victim of abuse.
Christopher Scarver
Troubled Background: Christopher Scarver, born on July 6, 1969, endured a tumultuous childhood marked by neglect and abuse. His father abandoned the family, and his mother struggled with alcoholism. Young Christopher witnessed frequent domestic violence and experienced physical abuse at the hands of his mother and stepfather.
Institutionalized: Scarver's troubled upbringing led him down a path of crime and violence. At the age of 20, he was convicted of armed robbery and sentenced to 25 years in prison. During his incarceration, he exhibited signs of mental illness and was diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Confrontation with Dahmer: Scarver's notoriety stems from his encounter with Jeffrey Dahmer at the Columbia Correctional Institution in Portage, Wisconsin. Dahmer, a notorious serial killer, had been transferred to the facility after his highly publicized trial. On November 28, 1994, Scarver confronted Dahmer in a prison bathroom, striking him with a metal bar and leaving him fatally injured.
Unclear Motives: The exact reasons behind Scarver's attack on Dahmer remain shrouded in mystery. Some speculate that Dahmer's behavior in prison, including his attempts to preserve and display body parts of his victims, angered and disgusted Scarver. Others suggest that Scarver, who had a history of being bullied, saw Dahmer as a vulnerable target.
Scarver's actions sparked a debate about whether Dahmer deserved such a violent end. Some argued that Scarver was a vigilante who took justice into his own hands, while others condemned his actions as a senseless act of brutality.
Fellow Inmate
Christopher Scarver, who killed Jeffrey Dahmer, was also an inmate at the Columbia Correctional Institution.
- History of Abuse:
Scarver had a troubled past marked by abuse and neglect. He witnessed domestic violence as a child and was physically abused by his mother and stepfather. This traumatic upbringing may have contributed to his violent tendencies and his inability to cope with difficult situations in a healthy manner.
- Mental Illness:
Scarver was diagnosed with schizophrenia while incarcerated. This mental illness can cause delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thinking. It is possible that Scarver's mental illness influenced his behavior and his decision to attack Dahmer.
- Reports of Bullying:
Some fellow inmates reported that Dahmer was often harassed and bullied by other prisoners. Dahmer's strange behavior and his crimes made him an easy target for ridicule and abuse. This mistreatment may have further enraged Scarver, who himself had been a victim of bullying.
- Dahmer's Behavior in Prison:
Dahmer's actions in prison may have also contributed to the animosity between him and Scarver. Dahmer was known to create disturbing displays using food, which some inmates found disrespectful and offensive. Additionally, Dahmer's attempts to preserve and display body parts of his victims were seen as macabre and deeply disturbing by many.
The combination of Scarver's troubled background, mental illness, and the reports of Dahmer being bullied may have created a volatile situation that ultimately led to the fatal confrontation.
Fatal Confrontation
On the morning of November 28, 1994, Jeffrey Dahmer was assigned to a work detail with two other inmates, Christopher Scarver and Jesse Anderson. The three men were tasked with cleaning the prison gymnasium.
While unsupervised, Scarver obtained a metal bar from the weight room and approached Dahmer. He struck Dahmer in the head several times, causing severe injuries. Anderson, who witnessed the attack, attempted to intervene, but Scarver also struck him in the head.
Dahmer was rushed to the prison infirmary, but he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead an hour later. Anderson survived the attack, but he sustained serious injuries.
The exact motive behind Scarver's attack on Dahmer remains unclear. Some speculate that Scarver was angered by Dahmer's behavior in prison, including his attempts to preserve and display body parts of his victims. Others suggest that Scarver, who had a history of being bullied, saw Dahmer as a vulnerable target.
The fatal confrontation between Scarver and Dahmer brought an end to one of the most notorious serial killers in American history. Dahmer's death also sparked a debate about the ethics of prison justice and the treatment of inmates with mental illness.