Before Jeffrey Dahmer became infamous as one of America’s most notorious serial killers, he had a complex relationship with his brother, David Dahmer.
Jeffrey was born in 1960 to Joyce and Lionel Dahmer, with David arriving seven years later. Following their parents’ separation in 1978, when Jeffrey was already an adult at 18, David grew up in a different household.
According to retired FBI profiler Dan Craft, in the 2023 docuseries "My Son Jeffrey: The Dahmer Family Tapes," the brothers faced challenges while growing up, particularly as they both vied for their mother’s affection.
Throughout his life, Jeffrey committed horrific crimes, killing 17 young men in Milwaukee between 1978 and 1991, engaging in acts of cannibalism and necrophilia. He was finally caught when one of his victims managed to escape in 1991, leading to his arrest and eventual conviction. Jeffrey served two and a half years in prison before being killed by another inmate on November 28, 1994.
The Dahmer name carries a heavy association with Jeffrey’s terrible deeds, but David has strived to live a more private life since his brother’s capture. He has largely stayed out of the public eye since the events of over three decades ago.
So what is David Dahmer doing now? Let’s explore his upbringing alongside Jeffrey and understand his choice to step back from the spotlight.
Who is David Dahmer?
David Dahmer’s early life was marked by a troubled family dynamic. Reports suggest that while there was no direct physical abuse towards Jeffrey and David, they experienced neglect. Their mother, Joyce, struggled with mental health issues until her death in 2000, while their father, Lionel, who passed away in 2023, often retreated to his work, leaving both boys without much guidance.
Experts have noted that traumatic experiences do not always involve physical harm; in this case, the stress of their family situation likely impacted Jeffrey significantly. As a child, he often turned to fantasies to cope with his surroundings.
Were Jeffrey and David close growing up?
The bond between Jeffrey and David was complicated. While Jeffrey was more introverted, David was outgoing. Their seven-year age gap made it challenging for them to connect deeply. Lionel, their father, mentioned in a 2004 interview that although the brothers enjoyed their time together, their developmental differences led to friction. Jeffrey had feelings of affection for David but sometimes found his younger brother’s energy overwhelming.
After their parents’ divorce, David stayed with their mother, while Jeffrey lived with Lionel. This separation contributed to their distance.
What did David know about Jeffrey’s crimes?
In his book "A Father’s Story," Lionel Dahmer expressed that he noticed early signs indicating his son’s troubling nature. David likely encountered some of Jeffrey’s strange behaviors during their childhood, such as animal dissections. Due to his young age, David interpreted these actions as harmless; he thought Jeffrey was simply being kind by giving dead animals a proper burial.
Where is David Dahmer now?
After Jeffrey was arrested, David chose to distance himself from the public eye completely. In a 2004 interview with Larry King, Lionel and his second wife, Shari, revealed that David had changed his name to avoid attention and was living a quiet life. They noted that David was pursuing a career and even had a family, expecting a second child, indicating he had found happiness away from the shadow of his brother’s actions.
