Jeffrey Dahmer's Mom Defends Serial Killer, Claims He 'Didn't Hurt' Victims

Criminal psychologist examining new evidence on serial killer Christopher Wilder also shares disturbing insights from Dahmer case

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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The mother of notorious serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, who dismembered and ate his victims, told a criminal psychologist that her son never tried to hurt anybody. This revelation comes as the same psychologist, Dr. Eric Hickey, is now applying his insights from cases like Dahmer's to a new investigation into serial killer Christopher Wilder, whose true victim count may rival that of Ted Bundy.

Why it matters

Dahmer's mother's comments provide a rare glimpse into the mindset of a serial killer's family member, highlighting the complex and often distorted perspectives that can emerge around such horrific crimes. Meanwhile, the new investigation into Wilder aims to shed light on an even more prolific and chilling offender, potentially reframing the understanding of his crimes and motivations.

The details

According to Dr. Hickey, Dahmer exhibited traits of a sociopath, capable of a distorted form of guilt and even a semblance of love for his mother. In contrast, Wilder is categorized as a true psychopath, for whom sadism is at the core and torture is not an incidental act but 'how they process the world.' The investigation also reveals disturbing details from Dahmer's case, including his infamous tableau of eight human heads arranged on a table, and a chilling explanation from Dahmer himself about why he kept the heads.

  • In 1994, Dahmer's mother, Joyce Dahmer, spoke with Dr. Eric Hickey, a renowned criminal psychologist.
  • The new investigation into serial killer Christopher Wilder is being spearheaded by Australian investigators Andy Byrne and Mark Lewellyn through their true crime podcast 'Catching Evil'.

The players

Jeffrey Dahmer

A notorious serial killer who dismembered and ate his victims.

Joyce Dahmer

The mother of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, who claimed her son 'never tried to hurt anyone.'

Dr. Eric Hickey

A renowned criminal psychologist who has spent decades studying serial offenders, including Dahmer, and is now applying his insights to a new investigation into Christopher Wilder.

Christopher Wilder

A serial killer believed to have a death toll significantly higher than the nine victims historically attributed to him, potentially rivaling that of Ted Bundy.

Andy Byrne and Mark Lewellyn

Australian investigators spearheading the new investigation into Christopher Wilder through their true crime podcast 'Catching Evil'.

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What they’re saying

“He killed them, but he never tried to hurt them.”

— Joyce Dahmer, Mother of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer (Hard Copy)

“Now I could be surrounded by my friends. They can never leave me. And they're also physically part of me — because I ate them.”

— Jeffrey Dahmer (Hard Copy)

“We're all sexual beings, so we know that at some point people have to express their sexuality. I think sometimes people who don't have sex with other people will in the end, seek out dead people because it's better than nothing.”

— Dr. Eric Hickey, Criminal Psychologist (Catching Evil Podcast)

“He just went berserk. The fantasy needs to be fed — and it gets quicker and quicker and quicker.”

— Michael Rowbotham, International Crime Writer (Catching Evil Podcast)

What’s next

The investigation team behind 'Catching Evil' continues to actively seek more information about Christopher Wilder or anyone who encountered him. Investigator Andy Byrne is particularly keen to re-establish contact with a woman named Tina, who was the daughter of Wilder's first boss and is believed to possess crucial insights into Wilder and the Wanda Beach murders.

The takeaway

This comprehensive investigation provides rare and illuminating insights into the minds of notorious serial killers like Dahmer and Wilder, offering a chilling look at the distorted perspectives of their family members and the complex psychology that drives such predatory behavior. The findings underscore the importance of continued research and investigation into these cases to better understand the root causes and warning signs of such horrific crimes.