Mind of a Serial Killer – Jeffrey Dahmer Pt. 2: First Murder and Psychological Descent
In the second episode of "Mind of a Serial Killer", hosts Vanessa Richardson and Dr. Tristan Engels delve deeper into the dark psyche of Jeffrey Dahmer, exploring his first murder, the subsequent psychological fallout, and the early signs that marked his transformation into one of history’s most notorious serial killers.
1. Jeffrey Dahmer’s First Murder: The Descent Begins
The episode opens with Vanessa Richardson setting the stage for understanding the powerful emotion of guilt and its elusive nature in Jeffrey Dahmer's life. She states:
"Guilt is one of the most powerful emotions we can feel... That's what Jeffrey Dahmer did, and the resulting damage could never be repaired."
[00:06] Vanessa Richardson
Delving into Dahmer's early motivations, the hosts recount his first murder on June 18, 1978, when 18-year-old Jeffrey Dahmer targeted Steven Hicks. This act marked the beginning of Dahmer's ruthless pursuit of control and companionship. Vanessa narrates the chilling details:
"Jeffrey was determined to try again... He swung it down onto Steven's head."
[05:45] Vanessa Richardson
2. The Absence of Guilt and Empathy
Dr. Tristan Engels provides a profound psychological analysis of Dahmer's actions, emphasizing his inability to feel typical human emotions such as guilt or empathy:
"I don't think he's capable of feeling the emotion of guilt or regret... He's never learned how to be valued by other people."
[08:20] Dr. Tristan Engels
This lack of remorse allowed Dahmer to commit his heinous acts without the moral constraints that typically prevent such behavior in most individuals.
3. Aftermath of the First Murder: Hiding the Evidence
Following the murder, Dahmer grapples with the immediate need to conceal his crime. Vanessa describes his meticulous yet flawed attempts to hide Steven's body:
"He had the house to himself for the moment... So Jeffrey knelt down, pressed the barbell over Steven's throat."
[08:40] Vanessa Richardson
Despite his efforts to hide the body in the crawl space beneath his house—mirroring his childhood obsession with animal bones—fear begins to gnaw at him. Dr. Engels interprets Dahmer's actions as a desperate attempt to maintain control:
"He wants it to be somewhere that he knows he can access it if he needs to."
[14:11] Dr. Tristan Engels
4. A Near-Encounter with the Law
One of the most gripping moments of the episode is Dahmer’s unexpected encounter with law enforcement. As Dahmer attempts to dispose of Steven's remains, he is pulled over:
"He saw a flash of red and blue lights... he was getting pulled over with pieces of a dead body in the backseat."
[16:20] Vanessa Richardson
Despite the gravity of his situation, Dahmer manages to evade suspicion by cleverly deflecting the officer's inquiries. Dr. Engels highlights how this incident only emboldened Dahmer:
"I think that actually fuels him a little bit more, his confidence."
[20:19] Dr. Tristan Engels
5. Escalation Through Alcohol and Isolation
The aftermath of the murder sees Dahmer spiraling into deeper alcohol abuse, exacerbating his feelings of isolation following his parents' divorce. Vanessa reflects on the worsening state of Dahmer’s life:
"His alcohol abuse spiraled out of control and there was nobody around to make him stop."
[24:31] Vanessa Richardson
Dr. Engels explains that Dahmer's substance abuse was a futile attempt to numb his relentless inner turmoil:
"He's trying to numb the feelings of being alone and being abandoned."
[25:59] Dr. Tristan Engels
6. Attempts to Satisfy Twisted Desires: The Mannequin and Beyond
In his quest for control and companionship, Dahmer resorts to using a mannequin as a surrogate for a living partner. Vanessa poses a critical question:
"Was his desire for this mannequin, like, different from other people who use sex dolls?"
[39:36] Vanessa Richardson
Dr. Engels responds by distinguishing Dahmer's intentions from typical uses of sex dolls, emphasizing his need for dominance and the inability to form genuine connections:
"It's like having a companion, even though that companion is an inanimate object."
[40:18] Dr. Tristan Engels
7. The Path to Serial Killing: From Mannequins to Real Victims
Despite these attempts to control his environment, Dahmer's dark urges resurface with increased intensity. His experiments with drugging and controlling his victims set the stage for his subsequent murders. The episode culminates with the murder of Stephen Tuomi on November 21, 1987, highlighting the culmination of Dahmer's descent:
"Jeffrey Dahmer had killed. Again."
[41:54] Vanessa Richardson
8. Psychological Patterns and Trophies
A recurring theme discussed is Dahmer's tendency to keep "trophies" from his victims, symbolizing his need to relive the control and domination he exerted. Dr. Engels elaborates:
"Trophies are a symbol of the act... it allows him to continue to relive that experience."
[14:16] Dr. Tristan Engels
This behavior underscores the deep-seated psychological patterns that enabled Dahmer to continue his killing spree unchecked for years.
Conclusion
In this gripping episode, Vanessa Richardson and Dr. Tristan Engels meticulously unravel the early stages of Jeffrey Dahmer's transformation into a serial killer. Through detailed narration and expert psychological insights, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of the factors that fueled Dahmer's heinous actions. As the episode concludes, anticipation builds for the next installment, which promises to explore Dahmer's journey from initial murderer to full-fledged serial killer.
Notable Quotes:
-
"I don't think he's capable of feeling the emotion of guilt or regret."
— Dr. Tristan Engels [08:20] -
"What makes a serial killer?"
— Vanessa Richardson [02:26] -
"Trophies are a symbol of the act... it's a way for him to try to do that."
— Dr. Tristan Engels [14:16]
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