This article contains discussion surrounding the real-life crimes of Jeffrey Dahmer, including pedophilia and murder.
Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story
Since the release of Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, there has been renewed interest in Dahmer's killer, Christopher Scarver. Ryan Murphy's true-crime TV show offers a comprehensive look at Dahmer's life, from his reign of terror to his death at the hands of Scarver. Even today, there's still a lot of interest in Scarver and his controversial killing of the notorious serial killer.
The release of Netflix's Monster has polarized audiences across the globe. The show sheds light on the actions of one of the most notorious serial killers in modern history. The renewed interest has true-crime fans looking not only into Dahmer's past but many of the real-life people portrayed in the show. The release has not been without controversy, as families of the victims have called out the show for rehashing past traumas. However, some have praised the show's focus on the victims' perspectives, with Murphy omitting details of Jeffrey Dahmer's past to avoid leaning too much into the killer's perspective.
Christopher Scarver, portrayed by Furly Mac in the show, killed Dahmer in the prison gym while they were unsupervised. The deed was met with mixed reactions from the public as the murder was hailed by some, while others felt Dahmer deserved to serve his time in prison. Nonetheless, Scarver was thrust into the public spotlight after the murder, bringing details of his own dark past to light.
Who Is Christopher Scarver? Why Was He In Prison?
Christopher Scarver was sentenced to life in prison in 1990 for the murder of Steven Lohman. Scarver and Lohman both worked for the Wisconsin Conservation Corps. Around the time of Lohman's murder, it is reported that Scarver started to hear voices proclaiming him as "The Chosen One." Scarver was fired from his job and shot Lohman three times after a dispute about money on the site. Netflix's latest true-crime show doesn't dive too much into Scarver's past outside his interactions with Dahmer. It is known that Scarver was a high school dropout before joining the Conservation Corps with the intent to become a carpenter, however.
Why Christopher Scarver Killed Jeffrey Dahmer
Scarver did an interview with New York Post in 2015 detailing why he killed Jeffrey Dahmer. He stated that he initially kept his distance from Dahmer, citing his odd behavior and lack of remorse as his reasoning. On November 28th, 1994, he, Dahmer, and another inmate were on work duty cleaning the gym when Scarver decided to confront Dahmer. He noted that he kept a newspaper detailing Dahmer's crimes, and his repulsion to the infamous killings caused him to strike out at Dahmer with a metal bar, eventually killing him.
Who Else Christopher Scarver Killed
Along with the murders of Jeffrey Dahmer and Steven Lohman, Scarver also murdered another inmate. Moments after killing Dahmer, Scarver also gravely injured Jesse Anderson, who died from injuries days later. Anderson was also a convicted murderer who killed his wife brutally by stabbing her in the face and head five times. He stabbed himself in the chest four times but ultimately survived. Anderson attempted to blame the attack on two men of color, stirring up more racial tension in Wisconsin after Dahmer murdered several men of color in the area. Despite the notable links, Christopher Scarver's fatal attacks on both men were not seen as racially motivated.
What Happened To Christopher Scarver After Killing Jeffrey Dahmer
Christopher Scarver is currently serving two additional life sentences stemming from the events depicted in Netflix's true crime show. He is presently serving his time in a correctional facility in Colorado. Along with his notable interview with New York Post, Scarver began writing and publishing poetry works while in prison. He also has a 27-year-old son who was born after his original conviction. The two have since formed a connection, sharing letters back and forth.
Monster has been a massive hit for Netflix despite some earned backlash and controversy. The show's popularity will undoubtedly lead to more true crime dramas created in the same vein. Despite a slew of Dahmer content available, Murphy's unique and vivid take on the killer's reign of terror has connected with a large audience captivated by dark events occurring over thirty years ago.