Inside the Life of Shari Jordan: Stepmother to a Serial Killer
Shari Jordan became the stepmother of Jeffery Dahmer, a notorious American serial killer, and sex offender responsible for the gruesome murders and dismemberment of seventeen young men between 1978 and 1991. Her connection to this dark history began in 1978 when she married Lionel Dahmer, who was already the father of Jeffery Dahmer.
Jeffery Dahmer’s biological parents were Lionel Dahmer and Joyce Dahmer. Joyce left Lionel when Jeffery was still a child, leading to Lionel’s remarriage to Shari Jordan.
Lionel Dahmer, in addition to being Jeffery’s father, authored a book titled “A Father’s Story,” which delves into his perspective on his son’s actions. Born in 1936 in West Allis, Wisconsin, Lionel is still alive as of 2023. He has also taken part in several interviews following the revelation of his son’s heinous crimes to the public.
Early Life
Shari Jordan was born on May 8th, 1953. Her birthplace was Columbus, Ohio, a northeastern state in the USA. Her father’s name is Howard M.
Her mother’s name is Olive Jean Miller. Shari enjoyed a joyful upbringing with her parents until the point when she entered into marriage with Lionel Dahmer.
Shari Jordan’s spouse is who?
Shari’s husband is named Lionel Herbert Dahmer, also known simply as Lionel Dahmer. His connection to her family took a dark turn due to the heinous actions of their elder child, who has earned him the title of the “Father of a serial killer.” Lionel Dahmer was born on July 29th, 1936. His father’s name was Herbert Walter Dahmer, and his mother’s name was Catherine Jemima Hughes.
During his academic years, Lionel pursued education at Marquette University, where he delved into the field of chemistry. His dedication led him to graduate from the university and subsequently become a full-fledged research chemist. Lionel’s ancestral roots trace back to German and Welsh heritage.
Despite carrying the burden of unsettling memories related to his son Jeffery’s crimes, Lionel Dahmer continues to live in 2023. At the age of 86, he has weathered the passage of time, and his presence can still be observed through television interviews. In these interviews, Lionel shares insights with the public, urging them to understand why following in the footsteps of a serial killer like Jeffery is a path that should never be taken.
Lionel Dahmer’s first union with Joyce Dahmer
As Lionel embarked on his professional journey, he found companionship in Joyce Annette Dahmer, formerly known by the surname Flint. Joyce, skilled in teaching teletype machines, pursued this profession. Her roots extended to Norwegian and Irish ancestry, reflecting her family heritage.
The union of Lionel and Joyce brought forth years of contentment. Their family grew with the birth of their first son on May 21st, 1960. This son, named Jeffery Dahmer, first saw the light of day in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
The family of three expanded to four on December 18th, 1966, when Lionel and Joyce joyfully welcomed their second son into the world. Lionel’s choice of name for their new addition was “David Dahmer.” David’s entry into the family occurred in Doylestown, Ohio, USA.
Divorce
As the years went by, Joyce began to grapple with depression, a struggle that cast a shadow over the family dynamics. The weight of her emotional turmoil led to escalating conflicts between Lionel and Jeffery, adding strain to their daily lives. Regrettably, this tense family atmosphere took a toll on Jeffery’s own development and demeanor.
When Jeffery was just 18 years old, and his younger brother David was 12, Lionel and Joyce came to a difficult decision. The strains had reached a breaking point, prompting them to part ways. The finalization of their divorce occurred on July 24th, 1978. As the legal proceedings unfolded, Joyce was granted custody of their younger son, David, while Lionel assumed custody of Jeffery Dahmer.
In the aftermath of the divorce, Joyce embarked on a new chapter by entering into a second marriage. However, the challenges persisted, and sadly, Joyce passed away in the year 2000.
Shari Jordan and Lionel Dahmer
Following his divorce from Joyce in 1978, Lionel Dahmer entered into marriage once again within the same year, this time with Shari Jordan. After their union, Shari embraced her new role and took on the surname Dahmer, solidifying her place in Lionel’s family.
Given that the court had entrusted Lionel with the custody of Jeffery Dahmer, Lionel, and Shari became the stepparents of Jeffery. The household comprised Lionel, Shari, and Jeffery, who all resided together following Lionel’s marriage to Shari. Throughout her lifetime, Shari continued to be Lionel’s devoted spouse until her eventual passing.
Lionel’s marriage to Shari didn’t yield any additional children, thereby maintaining the family size established during this chapter of their lives.
Shari Jordan and Lionel Dahmer Son
After marrying Lionel Dahmer, Shari gave birth to their son, whom they named David Dahmer. However, before their marriage, Lionel had a son named Jeffery Dahmer with his former spouse, Joyce. This made Jeffery and David stepbrothers by virtue of their father’s union with Shari Jordan.
Shari Dahmer is currently where?
Even after discovering the disturbing and gruesome acts committed by Jeffrey, Shari, and Lionel continued to stand by him during the trial, maintaining their support and frequently visiting him while he was incarcerated.
However, as the notoriety of the Dahmer name spread worldwide, Shari and Lionel opted for a life of privacy rather than attempting to justify or defend the dreadful deeds he had committed.
What Did Shari Jordan’s Stepson Do?
Shari’s stepson, Jeffrey Dahmer, entered the world as the first of Lionel and Joyce’s two sons, born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on May 21, 1960. His terrible activities made him famous. Two Milwaukee policemen arrested him on July 22, 1991. That night, Jeffrey’s sinister intentions were revealed as he had lured a man named Tracy Edwards from a bar, with plans to end his life.
Upon further investigation of his apartment, chilling discoveries were made. In his kitchen, four heads, and in his bedroom, seven skulls—some painted, others bleached—were found. Even more disturbingly, plastic bags contained two human hearts and a portion of arm muscle, carefully stored on shelves.
Following his arrest, Jeffrey admitted to committing seventeen murders, dismembering his victims between 1978 and 1991. His crimes reached horrifying depths, involving acts of necrophilia, cannibalism, and even the preservation of body parts, particularly the skeletal remains.
Despite receiving diagnoses of borderline personality disorder, schizotypal personality disorder, and psychotic disorder, Jeffrey was deemed legally competent for trial. He faced legal proceedings for the sixteen homicides he committed in Wisconsin. Ultimately, he was sentenced to fifteen terms of life imprisonment for fifteen of these homicides on February 17, 1992.
Tragically, Jeffrey’s life ended violently while serving his sentence. On November 28, 1994, he was brutally beaten to death by a fellow inmate, Christopher Scarver.
What has Jeffrey been said about by Shari Dahmer?
During a widely debated Larry King Live interview in 2004, Shari and Lionel openly shared their emotions concerning their son Jeffrey.
They remained in contact with him during his time in prison, acknowledging that “a part of his soul had died long ago,” and expressing their belief that he suffered from mental illness.
Shari articulated her motivation for appearing on television, explaining her wish to take all possible steps to prevent another individual like Jeffrey from emerging. She underlined the need of understanding his motives to prevent future tragedies.
She contrasted her stepson David’s decision with her pride in the family name and refusal to disconnect. Shari embraced the name even in the corporate realm, citing no reason to conceal her identity, asserting that their actions weren’t wrong.
Lionel elaborated on these sentiments in a subsequent interview with Dr. Phil in November 2022. He confessed his initial struggle to comprehend how Jeffrey ended up so far on an extreme spectrum of behavior. He noted that while everyone possesses their own spectrum of actions and mistakes, Jeffrey’s actions were on the far end, which posed a challenge to his understanding.
At the Columbia Correctional Institution, another prisoner named Christopher Scarver brutally beat Jeffrey Dahmer to death. At the age of 34, Jeffrey passed away at the Portage, Wisconsin prison on November 28, 1994
Shari Jordan Death
Shari Jordan, who had seen her fair share of difficulties, reached the end of her road and gently passed away at the age of 58 in the year 2012. Her final moments took place in the warmth of her grandchildren’s company, in the embrace of her daughter’s house. Shari had the honor of becoming a grandma to five biological grandchildren among these cherished family members.
Netflix Series Starring Shari Jordan Based on Her Stepson
As Jeffery Dahmer’s stepmother, she found herself intricately linked to the troubling path he had taken in life, whether directly or indirectly. The sordid and shameful aspects of Dahmer’s life even inspired a Netflix series titled “Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffery Dahmer Story.” Interestingly, in this portrayal of events, the role of his stepmother was brought to life on screen by the actress Molly Ringwald.
Has Lionel Dahmer written any books regarding his and Jeffey’s lives?
Lionel’s life journey has been marked by a series of harrowing incidents, prompting him to channel his experiences into written words, offering insights into the challenges he has faced. He authored two significant books that shed light on his tumultuous journey:
“A Father’s Story” (1994): In this initial book, Lionel poured out his incredible experiences, delving into the emotional turmoil he grappled with upon learning of Jeffery’s heinous crimes. Through his words, he navigates the overwhelming state of denial that he found himself in, and he provides a window into the complex emotions he endured during Jeffery’s trial.
“Father’s Story a Pbp” (2021): An extension of his first work, this updated book from 2021 offers readers an enriched perspective on Lionel’s life. In this volume, he delves into the intricacies of “Raising a Serial Killer,” providing further insight into the challenges, emotions, and reflections that have shaped his unique journey.
These books serve as personal accounts, allowing readers to better understand Lionel’s perspective and the profound impact of the circumstances he found himself.
People Also Ask (FAQs)
Who is Shari Jordan?
Shari Jordan was the second wife of Lionel Dahmer, the father of notorious serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer. She became Jeffrey Dahmer’s stepmother when she married Lionel in 1978.
What is Shari Jordan’s background?
Shari Jordan was born May 8, 1953, in Columbus, Ohio. Her parents were Howard M. Jordan and Olive Jean Miller. She enjoyed a happy upbringing with her parents until she married Lionel Dahmer.
Who was Shari Jordan’s spouse?
Shari Jordan married Lionel Herbert Dahmer. He wrote “A Father’s Story,” about his son Jeffrey Dahmer’s acts.
Did Shari Jordan have any children?
Shari Jordan and Lionel Dahmer had a son named David Dahmer after their marriage. Lionel had a son, Jeffrey Dahmer, from his previous marriage to Joyce Dahmer.
How was Shari Jordan connected to Jeffrey Dahmer?
Shari Jordan became Jeffrey Dahmer’s stepmother when she married Lionel Dahmer, who was Jeffrey’s father from his previous marriage to Joyce Dahmer.
What is known about Shari Jordan’s role in the Jeffrey Dahmer case?
Shari Jordan stood by Jeffrey Dahmer during his trial and maintained her support for him despite his heinous crimes. She, along with Lionel, appeared in interviews discussing their emotions and motivations in relation to Jeffrey’s actions.
How did Shari Jordan and Lionel Dahmer react to Jeffrey Dahmer’s crimes?
Shari Jordan and Lionel Dahmer openly expressed their emotions in interviews, acknowledging the suffering Jeffrey had experienced and emphasizing the importance of understanding his motives to prevent similar tragedies.
When did Shari Jordan pass away?
58-year-old Shari Jordan died in 2012. She died in her daughter’s residence with her grandchildren.
Was Shari Jordan portrayed in any TV series or movies?
Yes, Shari Jordan was portrayed in the Netflix series “Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.” The role of Shari was portrayed by actress Molly Ringwald.
Did Lionel Dahmer write any books about his life and Jeffrey’s life?
Yes, Lionel Dahmer wrote two books: “A Father’s Story” (1994) and “Father’s Story a Pbp” (2021). These books provide insights into his perspective on raising Jeffrey and the challenges he faced after learning about his son’s crimes.
