In 1992, the family of Dahmer’s first victim, Steven Hicks, filed a wrongful death suit against Dahmer, his mother Joyce Flint, and his father and stepmother Lionel and Shari Dahmer (via the Associated Press). The suit alleged that Dahmer’s family should have been aware that their son/stepson “was deviant and destined to cause injury and death to others,” per the news outlet. Hicks’ family was seeking a $50 million payout.
According to The Daily Kent Stater, the courts ruled in favor of the plaintiffs. The amount that was awarded to them was not disclosed.
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In 1994, Lionel Dahmer was named the defendant in a different lawsuit. This time, it was from the families of Dahmer victims Richard Guerrero and David Thomas. The Orlando Sentinel reports that Lionel published a book that year about his journey as the father of a boy who grew to be one of the 20th century’s most notorious killers. The plaintiffs in the suit alleged that Lionel violated Wisconsin law by violating their right to privacy. Any artist or writer must secure written permission from families if they are using either the victims’ names or their likenesses. As Lionel failed to do so, a suit was filed seeking damages. The outcome of that suit, or whether it was ultimately dismissed, is not clear.
The subject of several suits against him, Lionel Dahmer is reported to have been considering filing a suit of his own.
