Jeffrey Dahmer was an infamous American serial killer and sex offender active from 1978 to 1991, and confessed to the murders of 17 men and boys. His list of heinous crimes included rape, murder, dismemberment, and cannibalism. His horrific crimes and their gory details shocked the world, and he quickly became one of the most notorious killers of the 20th century. After his capture and conviction, he became the subject of interest in popular culture and continues to be so even almost two decades after his demise.
One question that continues to be asked is how did Jeffrey Dahmer die? Dahmer’s trial in 1992 received wide media coverage and his eventual death in prison renewed interest and speculation. His death marked the end of a chapter of what is one of the most disturbing and petrifying crime sprees in American history. His death just like his crimes has been full of speculation and conspiracy stories, however, the official story is that he was killed by a fellow inmate in a prison attack.
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What Happened To Jeffrey Dahmer?
Dahmer was convicted in 1992 and was sent to the Columbia Correctional Institution in Wisconsin. He was placed in protective custody owing to the gravity of his crimes and also due to the high risk of being attacked by other inmates. Dahmer was known for being a loner in prison and he often spent most of his time in solitary confinement for his own safety. He used to pass time by reading books, painting, and writing letters to his family and friends.
On November 28, 1994, Dahmer was beaten to death by another inmate named Christopher Scarver. Scarver, was also under life imprisonment for murder, used a metal bar in a prison bathroom to attack Dahmer and another inmate. Dahmer succumbed to his injuries on his way to the hospital, while the other inmate made a full recovery. Scarver later made a statement where he said that he murdered Dahmer due to the sickening nature of his crimes and believed that he deserved to die. Scarver was once again convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison.
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Theories Surrounding Dahmer’s Death
Inspite of Scarver’s confession, many speculate that there may have been more than meets the eye to Jeffrey Dahmer’s death. His death might not have been a simple prison killing. Many have eluded that Scarver might have been doing someone else’s bidding, possibly another inmate or even someone from outside the prison. Others propose that Dahmer might have actually killed himself out of the guilt brought on by his crimes or maybe even due to the harsh realities prison life.
However, there is no concrete evidence to substantiate these theories, and Scarver’s confession still remains the official reason for Dahmer’s death. Regardless of the circumstances, Dahmer’s death was a tragic end to a life which was defined by violence and terror. The nature of his crime still continues to be a subject of intrigue and study in both criminology and psychology. Besides this, Dahmer has also become a staple of pop culture media just like various other serial killers like Ted Bundy or the Co-Ed Killer.
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