When Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story debuted on Netflix, viewers were both introduced and brought back to the events that unfolded at the hands of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer.
Portrayed by American Horror Story actor Evan Peters, the series follows Jeffrey as he murders 17 men between the years 1978 and 1991 while simultaneously evading the police. It wasn't until escaped victim Tracy Edwards (played by Shaun J. Brown) approached the authorities about Jeffrey drugging and attempting to kill him in July 1991 did they learn the true extent of his doings over the course of 13 years.
In the first episode of Monster, folks learned a disturbing trait Jeffrey had as a part of his killing sprees. After he committed the crime, he would take Polaroid photos in various horrific states to document what he had done to his victims. He didn't know it at the time, but these photos would eventually lead to his conviction. Here's what you need to know about the Polaroid photos and why Jeffrey felt he needed to take them:
How did Jeffrey Dahmer's Polaroid photos help lead to his arrest?
According to StyleCaster, the Milwaukee police were made aware of Jeffrey's horrible crimes when a handcuffed Tracy Edwards flagged them down at 11:30 p.m. on July 22, 1991. He explained to the officers that a "freak" had kidnapped and handcuffed him, and that he needed their help to get the handcuffs off. When their keys couldn't do the job, Edwards agreed to take the police back to Jeffrey's apartment.
Upon entering the premises, one of the officers noticed an offensive smell and boxes of hydrochloric acid strewn all over the floor. As they began their search through Jeffrey's living space, Tracy led them to Jeffrey's bedroom, claiming that's where he housed the intended murder weapon.
When they opened Jeffrey's bedside drawer, they discovered a knife and 84 Polaroid photos featuring victims in various states of dismemberment. Rolf Mueller, the officer who uncovered the photos, was so shocked by the discovery that he uttered to his partner, "These are for real." This led to Jeffrey trying to fight off arrest to no avail. The officers handcuffed him on the spot and took him into custody with him uttering, "For what I did, I should be dead."
Upon further investigation, the authorities discovered something even more harrowing. According to The Sun, he not only had photo evidence but also kept some of his victims' body parts, including skulls and hearts.
What was the reason behind Jeffrey Dahmer taking Polaroids of his victims?
It's hard to say exactly what compelled him to document the entire killing process. According to Biography.com, one of the reasons he may have done this was to see his victims "at various stages of the murder process, so he could recollect each act afterward and relive the experience."
ELLE Australia offers another potential reason for Jeffrey keeping the pictures and body parts. The outlet cited The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology, stating that he often felt lonely and isolated from the rest of society. Therefore, he had these horrific mementos "to keep him company."
Coupled with this evidence, Jeffrey eventually went on to plead guilty to 16 counts of murder and received 16 life sentences for his crimes. He died in prison in 1994.
