Jeffrey Dahmer, known as the “Milwaukee Cannibal,” was an American serial killer and sex offender who murdered 17 men and boys between 1978 and 1991. Recently, a pair of glasses purportedly belonging to Dahmer were put up for sale on an online auction site, sparking interest and debate about their authenticity and the ethics of selling such objects.
Jeffrey Dahmer’s Crimes
Dahmer committed gruesome crimes, including rape, dismemberment, necrophilia and cannibalism. He lured victims to his home, often young men of color or those living on the margins of society, drugged them, strangled them to death, and then engaged in sexual acts with their corpses before dismembering them. Dahmer attempted to dispose of body parts by either burying them, dissolving them in acid, or even cooking and eating parts of his victims. He was finally caught in 1991 when one of his intended victims escaped and alerted police, who discovered body parts and photos of victims in Dahmer’s apartment.
Dahmer’s Arrest and Conviction
When police arrested Dahmer in 1991, they seized various personal effects from his apartment as evidence, including clothing, photographs, tools used for dismemberment, and prescription glasses. Dahmer readily confessed to his crimes and was convicted of 15 of the 16 murders he had committed in Wisconsin. In 1992, he received 16 consecutive life sentences. While imprisoned, Dahmer was attacked and killed by a fellow inmate in 1994.
The Glasses Up for Auction
In early 2023, a pair of glasses purportedly owned and worn by Jeffrey Dahmer appeared for sale on the website Cult Collectibles. The auction house described the glasses as:
- 1970s-style with clear lenses and plastic brown frames
- Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity signed by the former chief medical examiner of Milwaukee, Jeffrey Jentzen
- Originally obtained by Jentzen directly from the Milwaukee police evidence department after Dahmer’s incarceration
The listing claimed the glasses were valued at over $150,000 and authenticity could be verified by forensic testing.
Authenticity Concerns
The auction listing provided scant details about the glasses’ provenance, simply stating they were owned by Dahmer without specifying how that was known. The certificate of authenticity did not explain Dr. Jentzen’s process for verifying their history. Additionally, some experts noted that the style of glasses did not match those typically worn by Dahmer in available photos. This raised doubts about whether the glasses were indeed his.
Ethical Debate
The sale sparked debate about the ethics of profiting from such objects associated with a notorious killer. Some argued that putting the glasses up for auction glorified Dahmer and commodified his crimes. Others contended that collectors should be free to purchase such artifacts provided they were legally owned by the sellers. However, legal ownership does not always equate to ethical behavior.
| Argument | Reasoning |
|---|---|
| Unethical to profit from artifacts related to a serial killer | – Exploits Dahmer’s infamy and his victims’ suffering for financial gain
– Treats murder memorabilia as curiosity pieces or entertainment |
| Ethical as long as items are legally owned | – Owner has legal rights to do what they wish with their property
– Collectors should have freedom to purchase such items |
As with any debate, there are reasonable arguments on both sides, and ultimately individuals will disagree on what is ethical or not when it comes to profiting from the notoriety of a killer.
Previous Dahmer Items Sold
This is not the first instance of macabre Jeffrey Dahmer related items being sold for profit. Some examples include:
- Polaroid photos of Dahmer’s victims – Sold for over $12,000 in 1991
- Motor vehicle – Dahmer’s 1978 blue Chrysler LeBaron was sold for $7,400 in 2007
- Tools – Sledgehammer and other implements sold for $12,500 in 2010
- Clothing – Dahmer’s prison jumpsuit sold for over $15,000 in 2016
Clearly there is a lucrative market for objects related to infamous crimes or criminals. However, not all family members of Dahmer’s victims support this trade. Some have condemned the profiteering as further exploitation.
Is There Proof Dahmer Wore the Glasses?
Without a clear chain of custody documenting how the glasses came from evidence into the current seller’s possession, doubt remains about their authenticity. According to reports, questions have been raised with the medical examiner’s office regarding the legitimacy of the included certificate.
Another issue is the style of the glasses themselves. Photos of Dahmer do depict him wearing glasses, but they appear to have metal frames, not brown plastic ones as listed in the auction posting. There are no known photos of Dahmer wearing glasses matching this description. This suggests more proof is needed before claiming the glasses were definitively his.
The Sale of the Glasses
Despite uncertainties about their provenance, the glasses nonetheless attracted significant attention and bidding. After 45 offers, the auction closed with a final sale price of $150,000 to an unnamed buyer. According to a statement by Cult Collectibles owner Taylor James, he and the seller were “pleased with the amount of participation” in the auction.
However, the attorneys representing families of Dahmer’s victims have denounced the sale. They stated, “It’s disappointing that someone would even want to own an item like this that reminds them of what happened.” This reiterates the controversial nature of profiting from serial killer memorabilia, regardless of authenticity claims.
Conclusion
The purported glasses of Jeffrey Dahmer recently auctioned for $150,000, but uncertainties around their provenance and the ethics of selling murder memorabilia cast doubts on the transaction. The seller insists they are authentic based on a certificate from the medical examiner, but its legitimacy has been questioned and the style does not match Dahmer’s actual glasses. While legal, the sale troubled victims’ families and raises concerns about exploiting tragedies for financial gain. Unless more definitive evidence of their history surfaces, skepticism will remain around the glasses and whether they ever belonged to the Milwaukee Cannibal.
