Did Jeffrey Dahmer's Life Experiences Contribute To His Killer Status? Jeffrey Dahmer Case Analysis

[@carolynsilvers9999]

I'm 75, raised 8 children, all successful and no criminal History...yet, I have regrets about parenting and wish I could have done better...I think all parents experience self blame to some extent.

[@renaminginprogress6903]

Congrats on leaving a comment at your age without all caps

[@MoonWomanStudios]

@Trey Adams that was unnecessary

[@valbirkner8131]

@Trey Adams Hella rude and presumptuous.

[@86sineadw]

A good parent, who is trying their best, will always think they can or could have done better

[@cellowify]

@Trey Adams And how many can you have? You seem to know everything. By the way, what quantitative data are you using to reach your conclusion and judge somebody else?

[@soulovelee_2433]

Child neglect must be the worst thing u can do to a person.

[@missymani]

The second worst. torture, murder and eat the corpse is the worst.

[@UncleBuZ]

Still dealing with it 5 decades later.

[@lchherrarte490]

Indeed

[@zoejordan7876]

There was actually a study conducted (before this type of research became illegal) where babies were put into isolation and only fed/ diapers changed as needed. So all “necessities for survival” were met but no human contact outside of that. Long story short, all the babies died.

[@tgs5725]

@@missymani eating a corpse is not worse than harming a living person lol. What are you talking about?

[@leasaswartz6879]

I was shocked when I saw Lionel Dahmer giving an interview on TV. I never understood how he could be so open and talkative about Jeffrey. As a parent I probably would have been reclusive for the rest of my life.

[@Likemike_R9]

Facts, the shame would of made me hide away

[@femipaul1595]

I have no doubt that if Lionel had found out what his son did ahead of the authorities, he would have hid it and tried to get his son the help he needed.. such was his unconditional love for his son

[@Likemike_R9]

@@femipaul1595 most parents would do this

[@femipaul1595]

@@Likemike_R9 I'm sceptical due to the nature of Jefferies crimes . He truly was a monster

[@Sara-xl3ml]

people were making up lies about him and his wife so i think that´s one of the reasons to why he started to accept interviews

[@LizbetPCB]

I remember watching some news report when one of the victims family members was giving her impact statement, and understandably lost it. Everyone in the courtroom, except Dahmer, jumped into high alert. He sat there and never blinked an eye. That was so bizarre! There was nothing there.

[@wolfe6220]

I think he didn't care if she attacked him or not. He said many times that he deserved to die and close to the end he had a feeling the end was coming and was glad. He didn't try to defend himself when he was attacked and killed. I honestly believe he had _some_ remorse for what he did. He said many times that he was glad he was caught because he couldn't kill any more. I think he was like someone helplessly addicted to a substance and is grateful to be away from it, even if he does crave it. Whereas people like Bundy and Gacey are like those addicts who insist they don't have any problem and are proud of their behavior. I think if he had a different upbringing, all of this wouldn't have happened.

[@GSP-76]

@@wolfe6220 Yes, you are right. Dahmer was very remorseful for what he did. This is all backed up by multiple mental health professionals who did multiple sessions with him in prison. His father also didn't give up on him after he went to prison. His guilt for what he did was overbearing and he did want to die. The lowlife who did eventually kill him said that Dahmer didn't put up a fight and accepted death. Of all the serial killers we have seen in history, Dahmer is one of the saddest cases. His life could have gone differently.

[@LizbetPCB]

@@wolfe6220 agreed that he didn’t care to live anymore, but to not even be startled by the outburst, especially when chaos erupted? So VERY strange!

[@kina18]

@@GSP-76 Too bad he didn't feel all that remorse and turn himself in before he murdered and ate people.

[@victoriawheeler5445]

I agree with you all and see a lot of humanity in Dahmer.... Although his behavior was grotesque and he was not able to feel any empathy for his victims or their families he definitely had cognitive empathy and knew mentally that what he had been doing was unacceptable and morally wrong. He understood how wrong he was to the point of wanting to end his life so he would no longer have to have an existence where he would be looked at or perceived by others as an outsider. His inability to have any emotional empathy for people or animals is just a reflection of his childhood neglect and if he had had a healthy mother or caregiver and his earliest years he would have been able to develop all the aspects of empathy that he should have.

[@ReturnOfTheJ.D.]

Both of his parents seem to really live within their own worlds a lot - more than the average person. They look like they actively don't engage with the world around them because they have a lot of things going on in their own minds, which are like separate worlds unto themselves. When you look at Jeff, he also had a very detailed and well-defined internal world that had next to nothing to do with the external reality of criminal behaviour and its likely consequences. Like his parents Dahmer didn't fit into the world - the main reason he wanted to create his shrine or altar (11 victims' skulls flanked by two complete victims' skeletons and guarded by Griffin statues) was so that he had a place where he could get a sense of power and "feel at home". The real world meant nothing to him compared to his internal one.

[@clay408]

This is an excellent analysis.

[@sunnypie2]

But why kill people he didn’t know. Couldn’t he have an inner World without killing them? Maybe write stories or other types of inner world experiences than killing.

[@ReturnOfTheJ.D.]

@@sunnypie2 Given that there were a lot of things wrong with Dahmer from the start, over time I think he started to realise how different he was from people, especially the gregarious and active young people he consistently chose for his victims (people who bore no similarity to himself). Dancers, bodybuilders, models with great bodies - the "Chippendale Type" he so admired. Some were fathers of families - people engaged strongly in life in general. Dahmer on the other hand, from a very young age, flunked out of almost everything - only barely graduated from High School, left College in the first semester due to low GPA, was kicked out of the military, failed to set himself up in Miami where he slept on the beach, and could not establish a good career or lasting relationship. It was clear he actually had little interest in career, relationships or even hobbies (his humble aquarium was like a major turning point for him and his only normal interest). I think eventually he wanted to try to fully possess and control these people who were so different to him, and the ultimate way was to make them even more lifeless than himself. Then they would never remind him of what he never had - their fate would be worse than even his own. This lateral transference of lifelessness from himself into others, especially those with active lives, was the power and control he often spoke of seeking and achieving fulfillment from. If your main sexual interest is intercourse with dead people (necrophilia), you clearly have issues with the living - they remind you of something you don't have - a spark of life.

[@Lilly-hh9es]

@@ReturnOfTheJ.D. Omg, this is the far best explanation and sums up Dahmer's personality the best, bravo. I think there are lot of factors , his DNA, upbringing, he was alone all the time and developed his twisted fantasies even more... But the main question what caused him to kill them.. He was jealous of people around him because they had everything he didn't, he was just empty shell and scary part he knew that , and he probably thought hey my life doesn't worth a thing so l will take other's life too .. He had nothing to live for and nothing to lose, so scary. He grew up without any friends detached from humans....

[@ReturnOfTheJ.D.]

@@Lilly-hh9es I came to the conclusion when I realised that Dahmer was always a ne'er-do-well, a down-and-outer with complete apathy towards life, while all his victims were (strangely) young, fit and clean (no drug addicts) with big futures ahead. Dahmer was threatened by those people more than any other type of person he came across - they reminded him of everything he never had and never could have, and he eventually resolved that dilemma by killing them. It would bring them down to his level, and even the score of their lot in life compared to his. Then they'd be no more alive than him, and even more dead than him, which must have been appealing to someone of his nature. The life he had to endure, one of emptiness and nothingness, would be theirs also, and through these both literal and symbolic sacrifices, those bright stars would blind him no more.

[@mrplow8]

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Jeffrey not only committed his first murder the summer that his parents both abandoned him, but also that he said he did it because the guy wanted to leave and he didn’t want him to. I think Jeffrey subconsciously associated other people’s autonomy with rejection and abandonment. I think he felt like the only way he could have a relationship with someone is if they had no autonomy. He even talked about how he scattered the remains of his first victim around his house because he wanted to feel like he was always around him, and he said he ate parts of some of his victims because it made him feel like they became a part of him. I think this was a form of pair bonding for him.

[@ondrea4936]

this is the best theory I've heard about this! thank you

[@scottcastro9383]

Certainly a possibility. However Dahmer also said he wanted to completely control his victims. Consuming them could have been the ultimate act of power and control over someone.

[@mrplow8]

@@scottcastro9383 That goes along with what I’m saying. He didn’t want them to have autonomy.

[@GalaxyGal-]

I think that fear of abandonment compounded with his sexual fantasies and OC tendencies made the perfect storm. Orgasm creates pair bonding and him orgasming after murdering his these men probably ingrained in him the sense of reward for killing.

[@xl000]

This is like people explaining the meaning of an abstract piece of art where the content is clearly random. It can't even be disproved

[@GrumpyCat-mw5xl]

Imagine your compulsion to have sex with dead bodies is so strong you try to dig one out of the ground. Truly bizarre.

[@_illuminandi]

That's what OCD is. Dahmer was unlucky that the pattern was associated with human organs.

[@GrumpyCat-mw5xl]

@@_illuminandi if he had just stuck with taxidermy would have been fine

[@gameguy73]

One of the things that always stood out to me about Dahmer compared to other serial killers, was the fact that he needed to be drunk in order to kill. That usually isn't the case with serial killers. He was odd even amongst his own kind.

[@misseli922]

I don't think he actually wanted to do it. There's a reason he tried to supress it almost a decade after his first kill

[@evelynwaugh4053]

So did Bundy, and also Nilson. Both were necrophiliacs, also.

[@jekw23]

He certainly has a high level of self awareness and never tried to excuse what he did. I found that interesting that he could objectively view what he did as monstrous and appeared to genuinely want to understand why he did what he did. Everything about this case is crazy and makes me appreciate my own, relatively normal and boring, life.

[@Sh0cks420]

He never enjoyed the killing he just needed the corpse. He didn't want to hurt anyone it was just an unfortunate thing he had to do to get what he really wanted. To dominate and defile their corpse

[@evelynwaugh4053]

@@Sh0cks420 You can't possibly think that drilling into someone's skull and inserting acids doesn't hurt. He may not have been a sexual sadist, but it would be fair to say he was indifferent to the suffering of others, which is typical of those who objectify others for their own ends.

[@elisamastromarino7123]

There's something about boys and their mothers. I always found it interesting that Jeffrey Dahmer liked his boys/men "still" (dead even) and drugged. It made me think of how he might have viewed his mom whilst growing up. She was often in bed and on drugs with little interaction with Jeffrey. At any rate I feel bad for his dad who clearly loved him, but made enough parental mistakes that he blames himself. Jeffrey Dahmer has a lot in common with Dennis Nilsen in the U.K. So, whatever causes this kind of unvevolved behaviour, J.D. is not the only one out there. Youre so interesting, Dr Grande. Thank you! 👍⚘

[@Mayfloweralways]

After watching the series, I wonder if his lack of connection as a baby also made it difficult to know how to bond with people and how to trust . It must be devastating to have a mother not hold you or interact with you. That is the building blocks to our social skills and understanding of love. And this didn’t change as he grew. He was alone in elementary school and thought of as strange in high school. The longer you don’t know how to bond or make friends, the more foreign it would seem. To me, he was desperate to own someone so completely that they would never reject him. Dead things don’t leave. Add to that, he realized he was gay- which was not accepted at the time. It seemed like an explosive mixture of shame, yet still wanting to keep them. That’s just my feeling. He was ashamed of being gay so killing the men was like killing his own gayness. And yet he had no way of building a relationship, even if he wanted to, so all that was left was to own them and keep them.

[@brutalcummer6308]

YOU'RE DEAD WRONG! Jeff's mother was innocent and Lionel dahmer his dad was likely also a serial killer . The media brainwashed you to hate his mother too convenient and a scapegoat.

[@H.art22]

I had the same thought!

[@shirleysue228]

@@Mayfloweralways I wonder about the brother though. How did he turn out? He was raised by the mother. Haven't heard anything about him. Does anyone here know?

[@BAValliere]

@@shirleysue228 as far as I’ve heard, David Dahmer (I believe he’s changed his name now) turned out just fine. He’s traumatized by what Jeffrey did, but otherwise he’s living a normal life. I think he did a handful of interviews back in the 90’s and hasn’t talked publicly about his brother’s crimes since. I think the difference with David is that he had both his father and Jeffrey looking out for him and encouraging him. Jeffrey was actually a decent big brother to him. For Jeffrey, the only person he really had was his dad, and even that relationship was a bit awkward. Plus, when their parents split, David went with their mom, and Jeffrey was left to fend for himself. I think that had a profound effect on Jeffrey.

[@somethingclever8916]

I think dahmer had very serious abandonment issues and he coped with it by killing people so they would not leave.

[@C-majorr]

Spot on. I would never excuse all the stuff he did but I cant imagine being left alone in my house by myself for months as a teenager. The parents didnt even check on him, no food etc and that's so messed up. That goes back to why he was eating body parts too. He wanted that person to be with him forever in some shape or form. Serious abandonment issues

[@BabyMaharaja0]

@@C-majorr that would be a dream for most teenagers, house to yourself

[@somethingclever8916]

@@BabyMaharaja0 until it happens for months and years on end

[@Dtella55]

More like a psycho narcissist but traits of schizo/bipolar,psychopathy and psychotic...some mental disorders can have traits from others to a certain degree and the MMPI test should show that as well...

[@emmanuelm07536]

I think there’s many people with serious abandonment issues doesn’t mean we’ll go outside & kill people lol he was just an evil human who honestly did not give a f***

[@ryanmclellan8740]

The problem I have is from my own experience. I think there's a serious issue with mental health care in this country. I have plenty of problems, my employer pays for 4 visits with a clinician, the first 10 minutes are spent going over insurance info, then I get cut off ten minutes early so she can prep for the next patient. How can people get better if this is what happens?

[@browniehendricks3726]

Our system is truly broken. I hear you.

[@videobrownsville]

What are your problems do you have friends why are you going to a psychiatrist I'm speaking as a pure novice no offense

[@terrimitchell5616]

You are so right! I had to switch insurance with a new job. The new one only pays for 30 minute sessions. I can barely warm up to someone in 30 minutes. It feels like the clock is always ticking. The mental health system is definitely broken. 😢😱

[@dianeleone1634]

My one & only experience with a psychiatrist ,took me 35 minutes to fill out a questionnaire, the first 4-5 minutes, the Dr shushed me, saying I was ADHD or ADD ,wanted me to try high anxiety meds ,come back in a month.. Who isn't anxious or nervous about a Dr. wanting to prescribe in the first few minutes..

[@pamelajackson2383]

you are 100 pct correct. i worked at a clinic in administration position. you are RIGHT. there are thousands and thousands of therapists, the first one a person goes to is not necessarily the right one----i have seen people walk out within 15 minutes, absolutely knowing they will get nowhere with that specific therapist. I could go on and on.....always listen to your inner voice. P.S. the sessions, in my opinion are too short.

[@Sunchild_26]

My husbands mom was really never affectionate nor there for him much growing up and most of his life. My husband experienced loneliness longing and abuse from others in school because he was poor. Luckily after the neglect and abuse he grew up to be loving, kind, and intelligent and is now a civil engineer husband and great father to my kids 👍👍 but I know my mother in law has regrets with him and wishes things could’ve been better for him… all parents have regrets

[@SY-ok2dq]

ALL parents have regrets. What about Chris Watts? What about that guy who ran off with, married, had a baby with, and then killed, his own daughter who had been given out for adoption? Steven Playdl I think his name was.

[@dontworrybehappy8080]

My mother and I had the same struggles. Especially when I became a teenager. Thankfully, we made amends a handful of years before she passed.

[@yellowdiamonddoesntapprove6632]

@@SY-ok2dq dude... orange and apples.

[@louniece1650]

@@yellowdiamonddoesntapprove6632 I think his point is that not 'All' parents have regrets. He's correct.

[@josephjude1290]

Sounds like his mom may have had borderline personality disorder. Also all that medication taking while pregnant was probably not a good idea. Good analysis

[@rociomiranda5684]

I've watched interviews and documentaries, and the Netflix series. Nothing in the world can explain Jeffrey Dahmer.

[@francoisgouws7288]

You're right!

[@traiascacodreanu4553]

There are many explanations.

[@MrsTruthTeller]

He was just born messed up and having messed up parents just made it worse.

[@jf41]

I think the real explanation, as boring as it is, is the law of large numbers. Dahmer was a perfect storm, and a lot of his risk factors may have been causally independent from each other: 1) there are three hundred million people in the United States, 2) some subset of those people are on a biological path of least resistance to becoming sexually stimulated by viscera (there’s an evolutionary psychology explanation here: shininess and wetness signal readiness of the vagina for sex) 3) some subset of the general population is also prone to attachment issues because they were abandoned as children 4) some subset of genpop is prone to attachment issues because they are just “tragically socially awkward,” as Todd says. 5) some people are just high on dominance 6) some just feel infatuated with concepts of darkness and evil (Satan, movie villains…) 7) some people are extremely low on empathy for biological reasons 8) some people’s parents initiated them into the world of taxidermy hobbyism 9) some people’s mothers took teratogenic drugs during pregnancy Given enough opportunities, or a big enough general population, at least one person if not a few people will have *all* of these traits at the same time. It was just a perfect storm of genetic predispositions and environmental circumstances. For any one risk factor, you could always ask “but what about all the people who have that risk factor who don’t eat people?” But for every risk factor considered collectively, you can’t ask the same question.

[@catienajar]

@@jf41 Great explanation!

[@terrystokes2948]

When you started out I thought you were talking about me. Quiet kid, interested in animals (especially dissecting them in school) and I had a double hernia operation as a kid. Thank goodness the similarities stopped there! Well there was that mannequin I bought.... uhh, nevermind! Lol! Another great analysis Dr Grande.

[@LuisSierra42]

oh..oh

[@rejaneoliveira5019]

Lol

[@Chaoitcme]

Dahmer's upbringing was not as bad compared to many other peoples' upbringings. Dahmer's parents were bad but they did not sexually or physically abuse him. Amazing how some humans are able to do horrible acts like Dahmer did, while most people don't have those urges.

[@misseli922]

At least you bought it, he stole it from a store 🤣

[@shirleysue228]

@@misseli922 omg, lol . True lol

[@crazydude973]

You're so smart Dr. Grande. Matching your analysis to the latest trends, so swiftly and accurately. Hats off to you.

[@Sputterbug]

I mean he's reading off a script but ya

[@harrynac6017]

He did a video on him already 3 years ago.

[@philsdon8932]

His father wrote a book. In it he describes Jeffrey's mother as having extreme mental health issues during her pregnancy and took a great deal of medication. He also stated that Jeffrey's entire personality changed after he had the hernia surgery.

[@SonoranStormChaser]

There are studies which indicate that anesthesia can be detrimental to the developing brain, as well as the aging brain... interesting 🤔

[@sexi8784]

I wouldn’t give too much credence to what Jeffrey Dahmer‘s dad says. Seem like he’d like to lay a lot of the blame on the mother and he also said he would donate the proceeds of the book to the victims families and they never saw a penny.

[@withgoddess7646]

That's what he said. Doesn't make it true. The father is a very strange man who has to control the narrative.

[@sexi8784]

@@withgoddess7646 Exactly. The dad seemed cold and calculating to me. The mom had serious issues, but she does deny having seizures during pregnancy. Who knows what happened in that household, dad’s word doesn’t seem reliable though.

[@nmartin5551]

In this case, I think we can feel pretty sure that Jeffrey did not have two mature caring and present parents at any time in his childhood. There was a lot going wrong there.

[@crazymimi6061]

I remember the poor woman testifying in court about her brother that Dahmer killed. I don't know what Dahmer's sick deal was, but I hope his victim's families found some peace after his death. I'll save my sympathy for the victims.

[@linanicolia1363]

Victims relatives always have anger, which is understandable, as they never try to understand, the other side.

[@YTStoleMyUsername]

Well there is a reason that forensic scientists, psychiatrists, psychologists and FBI/law enforcement try to get to the bottom of what Dahmer's "sick deal was." When we know the contributive factors that lead to such a killer, we can prevent one before their behaviors start, or catch them before they get too far with their crimes. It's nice that you are empathetic to the victims, but Dr. Grande's video is not about empathy for Jeffrey Dahmer. It's about understanding what creates a serial killer. That's why many of us come to this type of true crime content.

[@Lilly-hh9es]

@@YTStoleMyUsername parents made them and surroundings later. End of .... And it only gets worse when it develops into mental health problem later , and left unsolved. The society still provides so little resources about parenting and how meaningful is that for the rest of our lives...

[@larajensen1821]

I agree ❤

[@SjofnBM1989]

@@linanicolia1363 Um I don't think they should feel obligated to 'understand' the sick fucking turd that tortured,murdered and ate their family member. Their anger is leaps and bounds justified and no amount of 'understanding' is going to make their loved one come back from the dead

[@casedistorted]

It’s weird as someone who grew up in Wisconsin to find out not everyone knew who Dahmer was. We had a history teacher in 2003 who would tell us stories about how they’d drive past the prison Dahmer was at back in the day (not even ten years ago at that point) and you’d see Dahmer outside planting the garden, and if you’d wave to him on the highway he would wave right back.

[@twincherry4958]

Oh no!

[@mereanawi6194]

I had heard the name, didn't know who he was or what he did until I saw the netflix series.

[@wolfe6220]

Interesting. Makes me wonder if part of him felt he was better off being in prison, so he could not kill again. And of course, no drinking. He was probably pretty lonely too and glad for even just someone waving at him. It's a shame he didn't get the help he needed when he was young. Maybe what he did could have been avoided.

[@Amfneey]

@@wolfe6220 I completely agree with what you said. I believe that if he got positive reinforcement by both of his parents regardless of what they were going through, I think he may have turned out differently. I believe that his father and mother both are somewhat to blame. His dad fed into his obsession with dead animals and such, and didn't teach him that was wrong when he was a child. His mother basically neglected him and left with his brother. I think what he truly wanted was someone that wouldn't leave his life. His parents did, and basically everyone around him did as well because he was seen as odd. He wanted that romantic partner but I also think he wanted to be in control. Lots of childhood trauma can have an effect on someone's adulthood. In a sense I feel bad for his life as a child, but he just spiraled out of control as he became an adult. I don't feel sorry for him at all after him knowing it's wrong as an adult, but he continued to do it over and over.

[@matthew.m.stevick]

Wisconsin is basically Canada 🇨🇦 don’t cha know ay? Would not happen in New Jersey

[@Frosth15]

Thankful for this video Dr. Grande, I watched your previous analysis on Jeffrey Dahmer and wanted to hear more from you. Your insight and opinion is much appreciated

[@youtubehandle-]

Good analysis, it's hard to imagine what would make someone do this. Thanks Dr. Grande. ✌️

[@alexsmith-gn4tp]

How Dr. Grande manages to post so many super quality videos so often is amazing. I hope that he realises just how grateful we all are. 💗 to Dr. Grande & all of his fans & subscribers.

[@We_Are_All_Vultures]

He's crazy hard working

[@sashachitownvillegas6850]

hes amazing!

[@BeautybyElbi]

Dr. Grande, we used to watch you in grad school and now since I’ve graduated I still watch and enjoy your videos :) your videos had helped me out so much especially when I passed my licensure last year as a clinical mental health counselor!

[@WeShareTheSameAffliction]

This is such a sad case for everyone involved. 😭

[@FiniteAtticus]

Woah! Blinked my eyes and you have over a million subs! Congrats! 🎊🍾🎉🎈

[@existenceispainforameeseeks]

I recall watching an interview with his father and him saying that Jeffrey becoming what he became was his fault. I think many things definitely contributed to his terrifying behavior. I also think drinking throughout high school likely wasn’t helpful.

[@flbeblue1423]

Maybe it was with Stone Phillips?

[@johngreydanus2033]

No one is stating the obvious, his brain just wasn't fully wired from the start, anything happened after his birth is incidental

[@chuckrobinson599]

The drinking doesn't help, especially at an early age.

[@johngreydanus2033]

@@chuckrobinson599 Really? there should be a lot more cannibalistic, necrophiliac, serial killers if that is the cause

[@pamelajackson2383]

when i learned about his drinking, i thought the same thing---it poisoned him...although he was sick to begin with---i think the alchohol fueled things.

[@foreveryours7464]

I don't believe there are any words in a psychiatrist dictionary that has a name for this type of craziness.

[@TheEbryn]

He was obsessed with the exorcist for a reason, the eggheads just deny it all

[@konijndehaas9167]

@@TheEbryn for what reason though?

[@LuisSierra42]

@@konijndehaas9167 maybe he thought he was possessed

[@Randorandom232]

Anti social personality?

[@GSP-76]

Dahmer was nothing special in way of his personality. He suffered from multiple mental diseases and most all of the professionals that worked with him in prison all came to the same conclusions. He accepted his death as well. He wanted to die for what he did as punishment. He felt remorse for his actions. Can't ask for more from a person who has done the things he did.

[@annedenman3312]

I had an absent parents upbringing as did my sister and brother. Mum always hunting for a man and Dad, who played for the symphony used that as a flirt ticket for women. Needless to say the 3 of us were neglected (clothes, food, etc) even though we lived in the respectable area of town. I have learnt from this and try to treat my child and friends, for that matter, with the love and honesty they deserve. Life is life but we are here to love. Shalom

[@jonnuanez7183]

His mom sounds a lot like my mom...narcissistic, histrionic, in complete denial of how her actions affect others, and depressed. Someone with too many problems. I grew up around family arguments centered around her. My mom never did drugs; she's afraid of coffee. But she is seriously addicted to shopping and television. She doesn't think these are or can be addictions. Parents, don't neglect your kids. They're people, not trophies or adversaries.

[@eshakatru9819]

Same thing with my mom never flet her presence eventhough she was around me 24 7 ,she used to think her duty is to just cook in time and watch TV if she like goes shopping rest things doesn't matter

[@jessyk4101]

His wiki stated that a therapist diagnosed him young with childhood abandonment and I feel like that later developed in to schizotypal personality or traits of it. he seemed indifferent to others and forming long term bonds later in life even to the extent of murdering people in his grandmothers house, but he knew what he was doing was wrong and I felt like he had mild remorse. Much different than Bundy who I would consider narcissistic

[@297banu]

Dr. Grande, thank you for just telling what he did without giving away any more information than necessary. I think this kind of restraint is what the media should have practiced when reporting about Dahmer.

[@anshulmann]

How a mother feels during her pregnancy is highly important for the baby's future and his/her emotions. Dahmers mother hated pregnancy period which meant the baby experienced "rejection" right from the womb and same continued after being born. That is why he was so afraid of being rejected by humans that the only way he could have someones company without being insecure was if they were dead .

[@wolfe6220]

It probably felt the same as his emotionally distant (dead) parents, it was something he was used to.

[@anshulmann]

@@wolfe6220 yep exactly. We crave familiarity .

[@wolfe6220]

@@anshulmann I think that's why some people who have been abused when young tend to end up being abused in their romantic relationships. I think the abused person may have mannerisms that may be "attractive" to abusers (like they know they can dominate the party who was abused in childhood) so they swoop in and draw the less powerful party in. And once in and the abused party realizes what's truly happening, well, they are in a relationship like the one they were in when they were children. And they might regress to that totally submissive state like they experienced before.

[@anshulmann]

@@wolfe6220 yeah True. That’s how we all keep reliving our trauma through our relationships until ofcourse we ultimately learn enough n break the loop consciously.

[@nicholelevine629]

I was supposed to be an abortion and I definitely felt it if that makes sense. I don't blame my mom though I blame my father for beating her so much that she didn't want anymore kids with him and was trying to leave him. Back then it was still totally legal to beat your wife though so the police would tell my mom not to piss my dad off anymore like she deserved it. My mom finally left him in the 80s when domestic violence laws went into effect. She did her best.

[@thelocalmaladroit8873]

Exceptional analysis today Doc! You touched on every point of Jeffrey’s life including his lack of affectionate and interested parents. Then you added that alone would not explain his behavior. We all understand hurting, but coldness is different. Maybe it’s just not possible to understand some behaviors but you always help us try.

[@suea5280]

Geez, I remember when Dahmer was arrested. I was about 19 years old at the time. It was the most revolting and horrific murders I had ever heard of. It's something that you just don't want to think about... how can someone desecrate a body in that way and do it over and over?! To have Netflix bring this all back to light. To see how people act almost cannibalistic with the details of his life and the tragic deaths of his victims is unconscionable. Some things are just better left to rest and not revisit.

[@moniqueloomis9772]

🏆

[@buzzardbeatniks]

What are you doing here?

[@wylier]

The series didn't show the more gruesome aspects of Dahmer's crimes tho. True crime has always been a major draw for audiences.

[@ruftotherescue]

When I was watching the Netflix documentary, there was a scene in which his parents were fighting and his dad was leaving. It brought up almost like a flashback for me. My Mom wasn't like his Mom, but there was lots of arguing. I was totally unexpected and my mom resented my existence but she did her best. I drank for 30 years and had a very sad, small life. There was other abuse from other family members. I am so curious what makes one person turn to violence and alcohol and others, like me to sugar, alcohol but no violence. I'm sober now and my life is amazing. I forgive my family because there's no way they would have done what they did if they knew how much it was going to hurt me. They're not mean people. They just didn't know any better. The one thing I admit I get a little judgmental about is why and the hell people with these problems have children. I knew I had problems. There was no way in hell I was going to have children. I knew what I went through and how I was tortured emotionally so there was no way I was going to allow that to happen to another human being by having children. People call women like me selfish for not having children and I just laugh. It's the most selfless thing you can do to not have children when you would really like to but you know it just would not be fair to the child.

[@janetteestevez7235]

The difference between serial killers and people with heavy trauma is in the genes. Many people have the "tendency" to be serial killers but it never gets "activated" for many reasons. I'm glad you are doing better. Ignore people and their opinions about your choice of not having kids. You have a great heart despite the trauma. 🫂

[@JC111WPB]

There’s more to the story than any of us know

[@bonim5180]

I did get married and have kids after having a shit childhood and leaving at 16. Im now 57 i can see how others would not do what i did,but im glad i did,im still married after 31years and my 5 kids are good people,so we just dont know,thank god! Be boring if we did! I also have 6 dogs! 😂

[@canine5700]

I’ve been waiting for you to cover the new show since I’ve wanted to see your take on it! Can’t wait for this one:)

[@Mainecoon_Izzy]

Dr. Grande is on a roll, nobody can stop him..... Every video is absolutely Fascinating 💯♥️👍🌟

[@kellyyork3898]

I knew an older psychologist who had studied at several universities ( usually on scholarships ). He worked with law enforcement doing analysis of various violent men being held for trials, in addition to running his practice and teaching. I asked him once about men like Jeffrey, especially whether or not the parents/parent contribute to their future choices and actions. He basically said, “Oh yes.” He stated that no matter how meek, mild, patient, caring, and concerned these guys’ parents act in court while sitting in the back of the courtroom pretending to support their sons, these parents engaged in horrific acts during the upbringing of these men. Although this psychologist said you have to take their stories ( when adults ) with a grain of salt because they enjoy lying to and toying with their psychologists and attorneys, he said he’s heard some horrific tales from these men ( often told without emotion ). He also stated their mothers were very probably narcissistic, histrionic, or borderline ( cluster B personalities). Scary, if true.

[@badxradxandy]

I blame my parents for all my problems too

[@chuckrobinson599]

It's true. Although histrionic isn't cluster B, cluster B is probably the most destructive.

[@chuckrobinson599]

@@badxradxandy we're all sure you do, what are your real ways of acting out? I'm betting your a drunk.

[@maricara3881]

Yes! There’s an interview in which JDevil said that the reason his father moved to the motel was because it was court ordered! So what did the father do to be ordered out of the home. There’s another interview where the father said he found squirrel bones in the drainage and knew it was JD. Then in another interview he changes that to bones in a bucket that made a type of musical tune when JD dropped them in. I’m sorry. The dad was also a sicko!!! Covering stuff up interview after interview.

[@texasbeaver8188]

@@chuckrobinson599 Problems from childhood aren't just acting out. One example of a problem could just be an obedience to authority and the inability to say "no." Quite sad when kids are made to walk on eggshells around their parents. Ends up passing down mental illnesses and creating such polarizing personalities in the world. It's a shame some ppl even have kids, it's never an obligation.

[@joanneblack7697]

Thx Dr. G. I always learn new things from your videos, even about older crime cases.

[@grimslade0]

I enjoy Dr Grande's earlier more generalised analysis videos, so this was a pleasant surprise. 👌✨ Cheers.

[@BRUCEYBOY]

Always entertaining and insightful, love your content Dr. Grande!

[@Andersonsdanish]

Hard to understand why a world brings a child into existence so that it only knows suffering and causes suffering. This world doesn't make sense.

[@cassy420blaze]

I'm so sad they didn't keep his brain for science.... so thank you for this upload.

[@onemoreday1550]

That would be a awesome brain to study

[@shantelane2553]

Lord where is the sympathy for the family? He was a crazy individual who killed children!

[@francoisgouws7288]

They wouldn't have found much of anything of real significance in his brain. This goes beyond the brain!

[@jenniferrose745]

This analysis was great as always but left out the (well, one of the) craziest parts where he tried to lobotomize that poor boy. The boy escaped and was found by Jeffery's neighbors. The cops were called but they eventually left the boy with Jeffery after he convinced them they were in a relationship. The boy was killed shortly after the cops left.

[@ayafarhat1716]

He touched on it in his previous video on Jeffrey

[@rumham7466]

So ballsy of him to still kill that boy even after that close call. Knowing he’d be missing. Then again maybe he felt there was no going back after he drilled a damn hole in his head. Out of all the prolific serial killers, this man will always confuse and fascinate me the most.

[@nickf4333]

Crazy thing is that the 14 year old’s own BROTHER was targeted by Dahmer previously….imagine that *edit for which I believe Dahmer was arrested for. Similar to the Gacy and Bundy cases, there were so many missed chances by law enforcement

[@maxshea4762]

Dahmer moved into a poor neighborhood predominantly populated by people of color. I don't think the Milwaukee cops gave 2fux about that boy or any of the people living in that section of town.

[@TheMoonPool]

The victim's name was Konerak Sinthasomphone. The police had some recorded conversations that were very discriminatory.

[@BlueBelle-711]

Dr. Grande, I will probably get back lash from people for this, but I wish Jeffrey hadn’t been killed in prison. I would have loved to have known more about his thinking. I saw Law Enforcement, etc, bringing all the stuff out of his apartment, on TV 31 years ago. I can’t wrap my head around how anyone could have done what he did. Thank you for your analysis. 😊

[@mnmmnm8321]

So disgusting his fellow inmates couldn't stand being around him.

[@fairyprincess911]

I’m sure Jeffery was relieved to be killed.

[@kate2create738]

The contrast to how concerned his father was compared to his mother speaks volumes. Most normal people would be horrified if their child did a fraction of what Dahmer did. Lionel at least tried to make some sense of what he could have done differently, and the sad reality is that he did his best. The one who should have had similar thoughts but didn’t associate herself with this is Dahmer’s mother. It’s likely the lack of maternal care had a big impact to Jeffrey’s social skills, typically, mothers spend the most time with their babies’ early years and has the greatest influence in childhood development. Dahmer could have likely had other contributing factors, like genetically bad combination, but the lack of concern from his mother probably triggered certain resentment that escalated him to become very dark.

[@gertrudemilhouse5626]

U would think he would target women that remind him of his mother.

[@Preservestlandry]

But if he has to ask himself, "Should I have completely abandoned my child like that?" he really isn't a better parent because he shouldn't have to ask such a dumb question. He's just as bad.

[@sophiaisabelle01]

We all highly appreciate your analysis on Jeffrey Dahmer’s upbringing and lifestyle. He has layers to him. On top of that, Dahmer possessed complicated traits and characteristics. His crimes were horrific. Individuals like him were unforgivable. The victims’ families still have some trouble recovering from all this. Overall, Jeffrey Dahmer was messed up. He’d been through some serious issues in his life which may have contributed to his rage.

[@christopherboydandmartinsc9322]

@Dr. Moxley did you know no one gives a shit about your biased beliefs regarding politics?

[@dqreps]

@Dr. Moxley indeed that Community would identify with a necrophiliac serial killer lol

[@cameronmiller6240]

I think Jeffrey dahmer was messed up goes down as one of the great understatements.

[@Cinder_311]

he did for sure..but he deserved what he got. also Very disturbing how many times he could have been stopped

[@micahbinns2740]

@Dr. Moxley I think you need to get out more, I know plenty of ppl who are liberal who don't identify with lgbtq community etc..

[@kathleenmms]

His childhood was a lot like mine. Most of my siblings have drug issues and are in prison. But I moved abroad and got therapy so I am doing very well. I think my siblings ended up that way because of our ubringing but also because of our brain chemistry. I am not afraid of medication or therapy because I don't want to end up like them.

[@chop2093]

Amazing analysis dr grande. You have true skill for telling a complex story while adding clinical analysis.

[@sobare5491]

I suspect the FATHER was the abusive narcissist. Victims of narcissist abuse are extremely emotionally unavailable, paranoid, and (sometimes) addicts. The Father was rightfully responsible and at least he acknowledged it. And children often idolize their abusive parent(especially if the parent is narcissist)... which makes sense for his sexual choice being men and choice of interactions violent.

[@Slambam73]

100% agree with you about the father and the mom 's retreat into medication as a result. I think the dad wants to control the narrative and is over compensating his guilt by "trying to figure out what happened".

[@powderandpaint14]

There's definitely something off about the father.

[@ethanhunt5243]

Because women can do no wrong

[@azraelfirstofhisname8695]

I enjoyed your previous videos/work on Dahmer very insightful

[@wrmlm37]

Dr. G, You're doing that Vulcan mind meld again! I was just thinking of looking this up 2 days ago, when I found myself in a rabbit hole of sorts. TY for this upload! I cannot wait to play it;) I hope you and your team, both at work, and at home, are doing well. P.S. do you want a night-blooming cereus for your collection?

[@EVNL576]

Don’t abandon your kids (even after 21) at any age and pay attention to their emotions. Sitting down with them and listening to their questions will resolve so much confusion in their heads, being nonjudgmental too would help. Parents are so important in our development, especially in our teenage years. If you happen to divorce but please don’t divorce your children.

[@Trent_56]

YES! Ever since the film went viral I’ve been checking your channel out to see if you’d cover him. Thank you!

[@Red88Rex]

Dahmer is probably the most interesting serial killer because he was so self aware, intelligent, and genuinely wanted to know what made him want to do what he did. Kind of a loss that we couldn’t have spent more time studying him.

[@laurenceschwartz8606]

If you notice, we never really study any serial killer. We didn't study Bundy either.

[@matthew.m.stevick]

Dr. Grande is not going to diagnose anyone in this video, just speculating on Jeffrey Dahmer or any situation like it.

[@terriblepainter7675]

I studied him: He is a sick creature. It’s all his parents fault, the professors’ fault, the boyfriends’s fault... yes, he genuinely was interested in his own case, because it turned him on. He wasn’t intelligent because he was driven by similar behaviors found in flies (attracted to cadavers, preferring only non moving bodies…).

[@flaccidego4291]

This movie wasn't based off any psychiatric study, which are confidential. This movie was based off Dahmer's statements to detectives & other witnesses, which are reliable only to a point. There were plenty of psychiatrists who thoroughly studied & evaluated those other serial psychos. But that's all confidential patient info. Most of the other serial psychos never give either a full confession or a truthful one. Dahmer pretty much truthfully confessed, so that's the basis for this movie. Dennis Rader (BTK) also spilled the beans truthfully to detectives, but no director with any conscience, or production company, would want to make a movie about him since there were small children who were the victims of Raders evil crimes. Any potential movie about that maniac would stir up much deserved anger and condemnation. Edit: As for Bundy, there was EXTENSIVE study on him probably more so than any other since he was so willing to talk to anyone after the murders, but his statements are totally unreliable because that psychopath is considered to be the most manipulative of them all. He was a con man & nearly all of the psychiatrists who have evaluated & studied him as well as the detectives who interrogated him said he is not to be trusted because any attempts at him showing remorse are just another part of his MANY manipulation schemes.

[@DeRockMedia]

@@flaccidego4291 the show was so disturbing to me because i can relate to his loneliness, drinking, and just wanting a connection, im not a sociopath though. I believe dahmer was telling the truth cuz when i got caught for my crime, i was completely honest, kind of like needing to talk to someone and be heard. I dont feel like that much anymore ever since i consistently go to the gym, but it scared me at how much i was able to relate to the show at points and understood what dahmer was saying.

[@TallulahBelle3276]

Thank you, Dr. Grande. Do you think early intervention or counseling/therapy could have changed his trajectory in life? Or do you think his killing people was inevitable?

[@t.7124]

I would guess it definitely would have. I think his main issues came from never having deep connections with people and poorly dealing with stressors. Unless he was born a nécropole, then that would be harder to treat

[@Jaksi-a]

Many people are neglected, experience trauma and different forms of abuse throughout their childhood, including myself. Not all of us end up being deranged serial killers. I'm not good with relationships and I'm mostly alone in my life, a loner with different challenges (I do have a job and other things working for me), all similar to Dahmer, but I'm not about to kill anyone. I have gotten a lot of therapy though and still am, having several things to work on.

[@TallulahBelle3276]

@@Jaksi-a , Good on you. 💝👍🏽🌎👍🏽💝

[@Lilly-hh9es]

@@Jaksi-a I think his problems was definitely started in the womb and others are learned or caused by our parents.

[@Missingonesmatter]

I would love it if you covered Andrei Chikatilo. You definitely need a strong stomach to read the details of his crimes. Very… interesting guy?

[@danewicks8313]

Recent studies about psychiatric med use and even neuroleptics used for migraine also suggest that fetuses so exposed also have neurological biochemical disorders. Apparently his mother was on multiple meds during her pregnancy with Jeffery. Sociopathy and psychopathy also have a biological component not always explained by their parental units good or bad parenting.

[@gregevans6044]

Thanks, Doc. Great analysis. Any assistance in understanding astonishingly horrible human behavior is appreciated. Seems there'll be no lack of it anytime soon.

[@Flamsterette]

Thank you for the upload and your analysis, Dr. Grande.

[@wrmlm37]

I just had a thought: what if, upon indictment and incarceration, serial killers WERE REQUIRED, to submit to research. Not nazi-level stuff. I mean, RESEARCH, as in MRI's, etc. I just read a comment about how his brain was NOT preserved. I don't think preserving a dead brain is helpful, but I DO think that studying them while alive would be extremely beneficial, over time, in getting a more precise understanding of these frequently complex individuals, that doesn't ALWAYS start with bad parenting, as much as we would LIKE to blame them.

[@eadweard.]

I don't think you could learn much of relevance from stuff like scans. Much too reductionist.

[@majorpwner241]

His life experiences obviously contributed a lot more than genetics, or any sort of inborn peculiarity or defect. Scans may very well have shown a perfectly typical brain.

[@badxradxandy]

Their ego would love the attention

[@melly-t]

@Wicker 2 I was listening to a radio show this morning that was talking about childhood trauma and intergenerational trauma. The man being interviewed described it super well with a sports reference, he compared the traumatic event as a cross-check or a tackle, and the trauma response as a concussion. The internal response of an incident often plays more of a role in future health/well-being of a person than the incident itself. So perhaps although JD's may not have suffered the worst things to ever happen to someone, it's how his brain responded to the situation that made him into the monster he was. 🤷🏼‍♀️ Or not, but who knows. Definitely an interesting angle to consider.

[@kamilarosinska5404]

Dahmer was cooperative in this regard and genuinely puzzled by himself - which is another thing that makes him an unusual serial killer. But he was murdered in prison quite quickly as we know.

[@Amberose77777]

Its so sad how a young man could be so neglected of love and feelings and become a monster

[@PlacebkaValo]

He was the scariest serial killer ever due to the fact that he looked and sounded so... normal. Calm, clever, with seemingly good manners. A true wolf in a sheep's clothing.

[@Chaoitcme]

Ted Bundy was more scary. Bundy escaped prison twice after being arrested for murder.

[@UnlicensedOkie]

Ted Bundy was way worse in that regard That’s how he was able to get away with it so long Nobody suspected this well educated Charismatic man was so sadistic

[@andradeb2695]

There are alot of them out there

[@KarenM5981]

“Normal”? Jeffrey acted like a weirdo.

[@rippindrummer666]

@RelaxReview you should listen to this…this is the detective that questioned dahmer and was one of the first on the scene when they arrested him in his apartment.

[@browniehendricks3726]

I Love so many things about you and your channel. One of them is that you actually read out comments. Thanks for this. You are the bomb.

[@davidbrienlantry8760]

One of your better videos, Dr. Grande. Well thought out. Well spoken and fascinating details that horrified me but held my complete attention. I wonder if at any point in time, Dahmer could have been treated and possibly "turned around"?

[@rejaneoliveira5019]

Fascinating analysis, Dr. Grande!❤ You previous video on JD is also excellent!🙌🏼

[@janinemccartha1811]

Hi Dr. Grande. Another good analysis. His parents were terrible examples. Thankfully his brother was ok & continued on even through difficulties from such a dysfunctional family. Hope you're having a wonderful evening, peace to you & your Mrs. G, love, Janine Smiley🙂😀🤩😍😎🍍🍌🥝🥥🍇🍊🍉🎶🎵🌝🌞🌚🌛🌜🌙🚗🚘🏡🐧🐦

[@elizabethwarman9028]

Good morning Dr Grande, happy Thursday. Great analysis of Dahmer. I remember having a Psychology instructor saying Serial killer do not see human victims as human but rather the word human being.

[@kristinekrohn7231]

Thank you Dr grande for this break down. You are so through in all of your videos. Considering the other notorious killers that you have mentioned in this video.. I can't help but wonder if the Dsm. In all of its revisions are constructed around these notorious killers Considering harming animals.. no empathy ect. It would be great if you could at some time comment on this type of subject. You are clearly the most dedicated , reliable and dependable physicians on utube.

[@BrenaMagdalena]

Oo! I've been waiting for this one. I saw the one you did before but I was looking forward to an update. You should do one on Christopher Scarver, the man who killed dahmer. He seems to have an interesting psychological profile.

[@PandoraWasCurious]

Good call!!! And let's be thankful for Mr..Scarver! Is he still alive? Ill put $ on his books!!!!

[@BrenaMagdalena]

@@PandoraWasCurious he is! He's 53 years old and writes children's books believe it or not. There has to be some sort of poetic justice that he was killed in a weight room with a bar the same way he killed his first victim Steven Hicks. Almost Shakespearian

[@kellyyork3898]

Psychopaths in prison often kill or use the ones who are genuinely insane or psychotic I’ve read.

[@PandoraWasCurious]

@@kellyyork3898 No, this guy was brazen enough to do it. The guards knew it, and he was given an opportunity. Us women repeatedly beat baby killers up in prison. Make their lives hell. This is poetic justice.

[@annoravetz5908]

I worked with a guy who talked about eating road kill all the time. He had really bad BO. When working alongside (hopefully across from) 👃 I tried to get him to talk about things other than eating roadkill, and to actually just concentrate on the work at hand. Unusual person, but I did not feel unsafe.

[@evelynwaugh4053]

Many states are making harvesting road kill legal, partly because it keeps other animals from being killed on the roads as they scavenge the dead-by-auto animal. So it keeps traffic collisions down in rural counties. Regular bathing is still encouraged though🤔.

[@annoravetz5908]

@@evelynwaugh4053 😝😂😂

[@linanicolia1363]

eating road kill is certainly no different than eating meat you buy at the store, except these animals may have a disease. Eating a human being after killing it, is a different story. Jeffrey was a murderer and he practiced cannibalism. He only killed men he had sex with, so , the rest of the population was safe.

[@essenenaziriteyirmeyahu851]

I just watched his story on Netflix. it might have contributed to some of his behaviors. But definitely not all. He still needed to be held accountable. No excuses. Many people have had way worse parents, and didn't do the crazy things he did. This was all free will, despite how much time gave him rise to have his own desires, when left to himself.

[@matthewmcdonough5601]

Free will is a bad philosophical argument in my opinion. He obviously had genetic and environmental reasons. He lacked impulse control which is consistent with psychopathy.

[@glormoparch5154]

The mother might have had genetic issues she passed on as well. Just a reminder no matter what the society or circumstances some people are just dangerous.

[@xxfox]

I agree. He made choices, as we all do. We all have an inner monster, it's what you do with it.

[@Sparrow0514]

He said the same of himself; your point?

[@robd1329]

I just saw episode 1...i almost threw up. Some sick shit!!! Not even the neighbor put one plus one together to have known he was stocking up dead bodies.

[@shelso1300]

It seems there is a difference between neglect and leaving a toddler in a crib, unattended or ignored, hour after hour, day after day. There are examples of babies dying in this situation, even with food. No wonder he was such a strange person. Doc - I hope you're getting all your rest while putting out all this great stuff. Look a little "pekid" as my mom used to say. Thanks for all your work!

[@SladeL]

In the Netflix series you can see a scene where a young Jeffrey comes home, and his little brother is hysterically crying, he looks at his brother and walks away. I thought then his mother reacted to Jeffrey that way. I think your comment is very correct, which I translate to, the mother always in bed and busy with herself must have meant, she hardly ever responded to Jeffrey when he needed it. Do this to a baby then toddler and this creates a fear and feeling of death/dying.

[@claudiamayordominguez7322]

What does that word, "pekid", mean?

[@ea42455]

@@claudiamayordominguez7322 It means it looks as though one isn't feeling well or beginning a decline in health. I grew up in the south. It was a commonly used term.

[@shelso1300]

@@claudiamayordominguez7322 A little pale or not feeling well.

[@tinareaume7484]

This is the most interesting component of any criminal and/or serial killer. How they grew up. What happened to them to screw them up so badly, etc. You did an analysis a couple of years ago on Israel Keys, who spent a lot of time here in the Pacific Northwest. There are people missing from here that they think may have been his victims. He was really scary because he didn't care who he killed. He just picked out easy victims. I wonder if you can analyze his childhood and consider what may have made him the way he was.

[@BAValliere]

It’s his upbringing, extreme loneliness, and repression of his homosexuality that makes me really feel for the child Jeffrey Dahmer was. That isn’t to say he wasn’t a monster-he absolutely was. But I find him to be one of the most sympathetic serial killers out there because he went through such a tough time growing up. It’s quite the opposite of Ted Bundy who had everything he could have asked for and still ended up a monster. And I think it’s possible to sympathize with the child they were while still condemning the adult they became. Dahmer’s story is a very sad one. I feel like if there had been early intervention, he may never have become the serial killer he was. Another great presentation, Dr. G.

[@evaschroeder4614]

Same. He seems like he was seriously mentally disturbed.

[@_illuminandi]

Dahmer was the way he was. Even if he was brought up with love, he will end up in the same tragedy. Do you know why? Because of his curiosity to see inside and the urge to eat what's inside. It was not something grown out of a lack of love. Rather, he was born with sexual paraphilias.

[@_illuminandi]

@@BAValliere actually it was his OCD that caused all this havoc. The upbringing kinda added salt to the wounds

[@omarinheiropopeye]

I like to watch your videos every night before sleep. Your voice is sweet . Greetings from Brazil 👏👏

[@JC111WPB]

I think you underestimate Jeffrey Dahmer’s social game. His father is a master at flying under the radar in terms of his responsibility in this whole situation.

[@horrortackleharry]

I often wonder if that jogger realised- years later- that he was the one who would have been Dahmer's first victim?

[@lynsey4224]

That's an interesting thought. I bet he's so pleased he didn't run that day!

[@kina18]

Or maybe he would have kicked Dahmer's ass.

[@shirleysue228]

Wow DeShawn, good question. Never thought of that.

[@davidmoss8896]

My father ran marathons and jogged past the Daumer house many times. He may have been the one Jeffery was after, but in the late 70s jogging was a popular fad.

[@bubbabroad9051]

Thank you, Dr Grande I managed to get through it because I knew you would handle the topic well. What I always wonder in this case, how did he get away with it for so long. The police were stumped as to where all these people went missing.

[@wolfe6220]

The police pretty much botched any opportunities to stop this each and every time. From the time the first cop stopped him at 3am with the chopped up body in garbage bags in the back seat, to handing him over the 14 year old, the one guy (last name Flowers)!who was drugged and sa by Dahmer and (luckily) woke up alive in the hospital (he reported Dahmer to the police, nothing was done) to the last guy who escaped (Tracy) with one handcuff on his wrist: the cops were trying to ignore his complaint as a whole gay/sex role thing. If I lived in Milwaukee, I'd move out ASAP ...

[@kina18]

Most of his victims were poc and gay, cops weren't going to look too hard for them. Just as they ignore missing indigenous women and children today.

[@shantelane2553]

Privilege and racism. That’s how!

[@Pianodean]

Hey Doc...have you ever done an analysis or the early 70's serial killer Dean Corll? That dude did some HORRIFIC things....I can barely read about it.

[@redfootedbear]

I’ve been to the house in Houston, Texas that he lived and committed the murders in, to visit a friend and buy drugs admittedly. It’s a house filled with addicts, the yard is filled with chaos of miscellaneous things. There’s an energy where you know the house is gross, dirty but, it pulls you in.

[@pm1647]

@@redfootedbear you mean the drugs pull you in

[@michaelreid2329]

Having just finished the Darhmer series in Netflix, I'm finding this particular review fascinating, and a bit troubling. I grew up in Oz during this guy's killing spree, yet know nothing of his history. I think I must've grown up in a parallel universe! Do you think something as simple as having a pet dog as a young child would have helped Jeffery experience and deal positively with emotions? Watching the movie I can't imagine how lonely and isolating his childhood must've been.

[@rabbitsonjupiter6824]

I'm watching the Dahmer series on Netflix too; I was telling my friend about it, and she had no idea who Jeffrey Dahmer was! I said you'll know who he is when I tell you what he did, etc. etc. And she still had no idea! So maybe my friend resided in the same parallel universe you were in 😁 I think having a dog may have made a positive difference to Jeffrey's childhood, as you say he must have felt very isolated, but there is also the possibility that he could have shown extreme cruelty to it as his sadistic nature may have been wired into his brain as he formed in the womb. I suppose we will never know what made him like that.

[@powderandpaint14]

Unfortunately people who display these types of things from an early age often torture animals. He had a thing about cutting up animals, I don't think it would have been a good idea to give him a pet!

[@buzzardbeatniks]

@@powderandpaint14 Found this in an article about serial killers who loved their pets - "As a young boy, serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer adored his dog, a Spaniel cross who he named Frisky, as being a shy, timid and lonely boy, Jeffrey's dog was often his “only friend” according to his father. And yet, Dahmer would happily impale the heads of other dogs he’d found as road-kill on a stick to scare the neighbours."

[@JinJinDoe]

He had a dog and previously he had a cat which they had to leave behind because they moved.

[@lagr4nd]

No, he would've killed the dog. He had serious abandonment issues. He felt killing anything liked would keep them from "leaving"

[@annal7364]

Thanks Dr. G; I have been meaning to watch the Netflix documentary but my life's too hectic, so appreciate your CliffsNotes and presumably superior analysis. Words of wisdom from one of our favorite comedians: _A rat will do a lot of gross things, but it will not &#%! a dead rat. -George Carlin_

[@biohazard737]

It's worth watching, the acting is superb

[@lisaalane7694]

Jeffries parents could literally describe my dad's parents right down to a mother in bed all the time and a father who talked religion nonstop. And yet, he had a highly functional life, was the city engineer of a medium sized town, a very successful marriage, and raised 4 children who all continue to lead normal lives.

[@SY-ok2dq]

Dahmer's mother was not just in bed a lot. She had a history of mental issues, had delusions, talked about seeing UFOs, and was considered a nut by locals. She seemed to obsess over her younger son, who was the subject of a custody battle with Jeffrey's father, but ignored the older Jeffrey. When his parents finally split, they just left Jeffrey behind in the house and went their separate ways - very weird, even though he had then just finished high school, and was 18, it's still so odd and sad. The mother seemed not at all interested in Jeffrey, or his welfare, to ignore him in favor of his young brother. I think Jeffrey's struggles to accept his homosexuality was an important factor. It was probably part of the reason for his drinking in high school. Other factors were to escape the difficulties at home, his feelings about his family life etc. Dahmer became a heavy drinker, and what surprised me was how well known it was to others, how openly he'd carry his cup of booze and sip it in class, saying to another student "it's my medicine". Drinking so much at a critical age and time in the development of the brain and one's social development, could only have a very detrimental effect. I also think there might be biological underpinnings, and that Jeffrey's parents shouldn't have had kids and joined together their genetic material to make Jeffrey. Both of them seemed to have issues or leanings that weren't a good mix.

[@barefootgirl67]

@@SY-ok2dq wow...you said just about everything I've been thinking

[@jzemaitis]

His father wasn’t a religious nut was he?

[@barefootgirl67]

@@jzemaitis I'm not sure if he was a religious nut, but he was happy when Jeffery got baptized

[@SY-ok2dq]

@@jzemaitis No, I don't think it's fair to say that Lionel Dahmer was a religious "nut." Yeah, he was religious, a Christian believer. But I don't think he was fanatical. However, he seems to have been homophobic, and passed on to Jeffrey ideas of the unacceptability of being gay, and probably that was partly due to his religious feelings, but also his age, with Lionel having grown up in a more repressive, homophobic time.

[@emilye126]

I watched the first time you analyzed him the other day...love the difference of your reporting from years ago to current..

[@BritneyWaldron]

Best commentary I've heard thus far!

[@Whitericeinmysalad]

Did you watch the Netflix series as of yet? Crazy. So glad you are covering this one. I definitely think it did contribute to his behavior.

[@nr619]

i think he did ... ! too obvious to talk about it when the serie just came out. lack of subjects perhaps by now. it must be hard to find subjects on a daily basis though !

[@AlphaMom55]

Pardon me but what is “it” that you think contributed to his behavior? Be. 🙏🏽🤣

[@Chillwithme101]

I think he did watch the netflix serie. Because he already talked about dahmer long time ago

[@Kgio-2112]

Some of the victims families werent happy about the series. Bad taste

[@Whitericeinmysalad]

@@AlphaMom55 I typed to fast. Meant to say I believe his life experiences contributed to his killer behavior.

[@noelle_not_nicole]

I’d like to hear your thoughts on Ned Fulmer from The Try Guys cheating on his wife and the whole “wife guy” image among cheaters (Adam Levine, John Milanese, etc).

[@ohkage]

His parents definitely have a part to play despite his mother doing everything in her power to absolve herself of any responsibility. They missed all the signs and even abandoned him altogether at one point during a critical phase in his development. It's always been my belief that Dahmer would've grown into a deranged person either way but the question that always looms over my head is: Would he have been a killer/violent offender if his parents nipped the questionable behavior in the bud early? Can't possibly know. They were too busy arguing and fighting each other openly in the home; fixated on this parent to parent battle and forgetting about their eldest son. I think the overall point is to just do the best you can for your kids. Pay attention. Be present in their lives as much as possible. Same goes for the authority figures tasked with the role of looking after him. The dude was downing scotch in his high school classes for fk sake lol. All the systems around him that should've stopped him absolutely failed. And I believe there are more victims too.

[@slee2695]

Im sure the father knew something was off but no one could imagine their own child doing what he did I mean he wasnt abused. His father was a workaholic but wasnt abusive. He had a loving grandma. His situation was much better than a lot of children who still grow up well adjusted. Some children are just born evil.

[@rachou971]

Nobody’s born evil, this is actually evil to say that. And you cannot generalize this kind of situation. It’s not bc you made it through with your situation that everybody does the same way. It’s a wide spectrum of complicated and unknown issues which led this man to cope with life the way he did and the help he had.

[@slee2695]

@@rachou971 some people are born very close to the edge and a small nudge pushes them over Maybe with a perfect family he wouldnt have been a serial killer. But he was never going to be well adjusted.

[@robd1329]

@@rachou971 he went down a rabbit hole which evil took over when he started to dissect animals. Had his parents been tougher and shown more love he would have been a monster in hiding

[@ifoundthewords]

@@ohkage She wasn't replying to you. She was replying to the comment above you which does indeed assert that some people are born evil.

[@hrush437]

Time & again, Dr. Grande’s videos are factual, eloquently to the point, & impartial. Thank you, Dr Grande.

[@KelseyJonesrunescape]

WOW…. I remember when I subscribed to you when you were 200k subs . Now you’re over a million - incredible and well deserved . Love your videos . Stay forever humble and yourself . Your channel is great !

[@StonedBarbiee]

Everyone blaming the mother. 🤦🏼‍♀️

[@spoiledoatmilk]

not to say i was full on neglected as a kid like dahmer, but i definitely wasn’t raised with healthy well rounded attention like i needed, which i find out later in my adulthood has been the result of my mood disorders. its crazy how the spectrum of neglect diversifies with people who go through it.

[@sterlgirlceline]

In all of the interviews I’ve seen of Jeffrey’s father, to me, he seems mostly interested in exonerating his own parenting. His father seems to do his best acting in order to attempt to convince people that he is genuinely interested in helping other parents (why he stated he wrote his book) and gaining a deeper understanding of why these horrific deeds occurred but I do not find him convincing at all. If the Netflix documentary is accurate in that Jeff’s father refused to allow Jeff’s brain to be studied, especially considering his own background in a science, that says it all to me. If he was truly interested in helping others and gaining insight why would he not allow that? Was he afraid no brain abnormalities would be found possibly indicating more environmental influence? In the interview with Jeffrey and his father with Stone Phillips, Jeffrey seemed to be censoring himself about his childhood with his father there. I am not saying it is the parents’ fault but I certainly believe that they absolutely have culpability and I think the media is far too kind to them considering their contributions to such horrific crimes against so many people. Maybe someday Jeffrey’s brother will speak out if he hasn’t already.

[@Slambam73]

I agree with you completely 💯.

[@michelleford7392]

Excellent job, as always! Really enjoy your videos and expertise!

[@allieeverett9017]

Dr. G, I scrolled past this story when it popped up, no interest in such things, too revolting. But I went back because it was you, and wasn't disappointed. Your presentation reminded me he was a human being. Thank you sir.

[@LindyK]

For the record I do not stand by the “blame the mother” for everything, as many do in the comments. That’s a misogynistic outdated trope.

[@kathywithak7529]

His mother owns a lot of blame for being so self centred and a extreme neglectful excuse for a mother. His father unknowingly (?) introduced him to dead animals/cleaning bones. Jeff probably took this as a warped bonding moment.

[@brutalcummer6308]

How can a woman Blame a mother. His mother was a saint. Lionel Dahmer his dad was clearly a psychopath and probably a serial killer as well . The media brainwashed people to hate his mother .

[@brutalcummer6308]

What's more... Jeffrey Dahmer admitted that his dad Lionel took his virginity.

[@cathykrueger4899]

I like the idea if a wearied bonding moment. There has to be some connection between that and the way he navigated his life.

[@kenhill3230]

These serial killers have always fascinated me because my belief has always been that environment forms you. The thing is though that I lived the same kind of childhood that a lot of these folks went through with no affection, substance abuse, no feeling of stability whatever, and I never had any desire to hurt another person or take anything from them. I just accepted the cards that were dealt, and worked very hard to put that stuff in the rear view mirror. There has to be something else wrong with them to do that stuff. Is it physical, mental what?

[@ifoundthewords]

I don't know, but I really dislike it when people say, "I went through the same kinds of things in childhood but I didn't let it get to *me*." You didn't go through the same kind of childhood. You have no idea what his childhood felt like, what he experienced in the womb, what his food tasted like to him, how he experienced the sound of his mother's voice. We all only know our own experience. I say this as someone who witnessed horrific things in my family as a child (and now also as an adult). I can't speak for anyone's experience except my own. I can't say anyone was dealt the same cards as anyone else.

[@kenhill3230]

@@ifoundthewords I went through my own life and everybody is different. I lived on the street at 15, went hungry a lot, never knew if I would have food on any given day, and that was life. That was life after my garbage childhood described above. I really don't give a flip what you think. My point was that it was never in my mind to take my despair out on anybody else, and that I cannot accept the notion of environment alone. There is something else. Save your "knowledge" for somebody stupid , thinks like you or both.

[@luckie741]

Oh my goodness!!! You explained this soooo perfectly! Thank you!

[@nasunorahl]

Much Love. Keep up the great work.

[@robswystun2766]

You should do the Robert Latimer case.