Jeffrey Dahmer Victim Memorial Has Not Been Built in Milwaukee- Here’s Why

A new Jeffrey Dahmer show has recently aired on Netflix; Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story. With the airing of this new series, it reintroduced a narrative perpetuating to build a memorial for Dahmer’s innocent victims.  

Although at face value a memorial may be the solution to honor these victims, it has been established that there are many concerns moving forward with a memorial to be built on site of the old Oxford Apartments where these tragedies occurred, which are now torn down and remains a vacant lot. 

“There was a conversation in the 1990s about a memorial for the victims, but the plan was nixed out of fear that it would attract people with bad intentions”, according to Mayor Cavalier Johnson’s spokesperson Jeff Fleming.  

Once the new Netflix series was released a new wave of creating the memorial was surfacing the media again.  

“The fact that the city of Milwaukee still hasn’t turned the former Dahmer apartment complex into a memorial, or a park is the final slap in the face to the victims,” said @DestryBrod on Twitter.  

Many tweets have said that the City of Milwaukee needs to implement a memorial on site of the tragedies, but the reality is the victims’ families do not agree. 

Although the public has an opinion on what should be done to honor the victims, it is not such a simple task, as Mayor Cavalier Johnson explained.  

“It is entirely appropriate to remember the victims of this horrific episode in Milwaukee’s history.  They deserve our respect.  I am cautious, however, about a physical memorial.  That would have an unfortunate potential to attract people who have a morbid fascination with the killer.  That is something I would prefer to avoid,” said Johnson. 

The lack of memorial is the mayor’s attempt to avoid creating a site of entertainment for those individuals who are intrigued by Dahmer’s story, further taking away more from the victims.  

Fleming also noted that “no one had reached out to the mayor’s office suggesting a memorial to the Dahmer victims before the Netflix theatrical presentation.  Since that time, there have been a number of inquiries – some from out-of-state.  To date, we have not been contacted by any family members of Dahmer victims,” further elaborating that the Netflix series re-sparked interest in creating a memorial.  

It is not only the mayor who does not suggest building a memorial, people in relation to family members involved also advocate for a different approach. 

Glenda Cleveland was a strong and brave individual who called the police about Dahmer’s suspicious behaviors when coming in contact with one of his victims. 

In May of 1991, Cleveland and her daughter contacted police when they stumbled upon evidently confused and drugged 14-year-old Konerak Sinthasomphone, trying to escape from Dahmer’s apartment building.  

Allyson Smith, first cousins with Glenda Cleveland stated “If such a memorial was to be seriously considered and was in alignment with the wishes of the victims’ families and the community, then it should be at a site nowhere near where the murders happened and should honor the victims and uplift their families. The Holocaust museum is an example. Another idea could be a mural of the victims. But that’s just my thoughts. Nothing I have heard suggested by anyone.” 

Smith’s suggestions contrast with what the Netflix television series characters wanted for a memorial in the show, but those are scripted, fabricated and Hollywood suggestions that do not honor the victims or what the victims’ families truly want. 

Smith also noted that “I don’t feel like the city has made amends that really made an impact and helped the families, my surviving cousins and the community heal. I don’t know if anything can bring these grieving families solace. But the constant movies and reenactment of the horror that Dahmer inflicted is definitely an insult.” 

Beyond the films, shows and reenactments that serve as entertainment from these family’s tragedies, other events and trends have occurred that further disrespect the victims than commemorate them.  

In Lubbock Texas, Capital Pizza introduced a new special for the Halloween season referred to as the “Jeffery Dahmer Special”, a pizza featuring fake eyeballs and fingers.  

FOX 26 reported an article on the special, since then being taken down hence Smith calling them about the story; as for the restaurant, a hung-up phone call is what was received when providing input on the tasteless and disrespectful pizza special.  

Other Milwaukee establishments have prioritized enforcing a zero tolerance of making mockery out of the devastating situation. 

LGBTQ+ bars “D.I.X” and “This is it” enforced a zero-tolerance policy to any Dahmer costumes and ensuring that the “costume” will absolutely not be allowed. 

D.I.X wrote on Facebook “we are here to have a great time respect everyone and make sure everyone feels welcome and comfortable so with that being said please NO JEFFREY DAMHER COSTUMES.” 

The crimes that Dahmer was able to get away with can also be aligned with racism and homophobia amongst Milwaukee police and Milwaukee community which furthered him from getting caught. 

It is important for the community to recognize and honor what the victims’ families want and understand that the repercussions of these tragedies are something they will have to live with forever.  

“When we spent time with Glenda, we never initiated the conversation about her experiences and let her discuss her experiences on her own terms. We just wanted to be normal,” Smith said.  

Although a memorial or remembrance has not been implemented in Milwaukee, avoiding business, shows and movies that make a mockery of the tragic events that occurred is beneficial.