The Truth About Lionel Dahmer’s Book and How He Profited From His Son’s Crimes
Lionel Dahmer is the father of Jeffrey Dahmer, one of the most notorious serial killers in history.
He wrote a book about his son’s life and crimes, titled A Father’s Story, in 1994.
But did he make money from his book?
And if so, how much? And what did he do with the profits?
In this article, we will reveal the truth about Lionel Dahmer’s book and how he profited from his son’s crimes.
Did Lionel Dahmer make money from his book?
The answer is yes, but not as much as you might think.
Lionel Dahmer did earn some money from his book and the TV movie adaptation, but there is no evidence or record of him amassing significant wealth or inheriting a large sum of money.
According to his caretaker, Lionel Dahmer lives in a modest house in Ohio, and he does not have a lavish lifestyle2.
However, he did not use the money from his book for noble purposes.
He did not donate the profits to the families of his son’s victims, as some sources suggest.
Instead, he used most of the money to cover legal fees.
He was sued by two victims’ families for using their names in the book without obtaining prior consent.
He had also been previously sued by the family of victim Steven Hicks in 19923.
How much money did Lionel Dahmer make from his book?
The exact amount of money that Lionel Dahmer made from his book is unknown, but we can estimate it based on some facts.
His book was published by William Morrow and Company, and it sold over 200,000 copies in the first year.
The average price of a hardcover book in 1994 was $21.95.
Assuming that Lionel Dahmer received a 10% royalty rate, which is typical for a first-time author, he would have made about $438,900 from his book sales in the first year.
However, this does not mean that he kept all of that money.
He had to pay taxes, agent fees, and other expenses.
He also had to pay the legal settlements to the victims’ families, which were not disclosed but could have been substantial.
Therefore, his net profit from his book could have been much lower than the gross revenue.
Additionally, Lionel Dahmer also made some money from the TV movie adaptation of his book, which aired on NBC in 1995.
The movie starred Karl Malden as Lionel Dahmer and Jeremy Renner as Jeffrey Dahmer.
The movie was watched by 15.8 million viewers, and it had a 10.9 rating and a 17 share.
The average cost of a 30-second commercial on NBC in 1995 was $175,000. Assuming that Lionel Dahmer received a 5% royalty rate, which is typical for a TV movie, he would have made about $262,500 from the TV movie.
Therefore, the total amount of money that Lionel Dahmer made from his book and the TV movie could have been around $701,400, before taxes and expenses.
However, this is only an estimate, and the actual figure could be higher or lower, depending on various factors.
What is Lionel Dahmer’s book about?
Lionel Dahmer’s book, A Father’s Story, is a memoir that chronicles his son’s life and crimes, from his perspective.
He describes his shock at hearing the news of his son’s arrest, his denial of his son’s guilt, and his gradual acceptance of his son’s responsibility.
Lionel Dahmer also explores his own role as a father, and how he may have contributed to his son’s development and behavior.
He expresses his sorrow, guilt, and love for his son, as well as his sympathy for the victims and their families.
The book is not a defense or a justification of his son’s actions, but rather an attempt to understand and cope with them.
It is also not a sensational or exploitative account, but rather a sober and honest reflection.
The book is both a touching family memoir and a haunting confession, as Lionel Dahmer tries to fathom the deepest quarters of his son’s affliction, even as they point to his own.
Conclusion
Lionel Dahmer is the father of Jeffrey Dahmer, one of the most infamous serial killers in history.
He wrote a book about his son’s life and crimes, titled A Father’s Story, in 1994.
Lionel Dahmer did make some money from his book and the TV movie adaptation, but not as much as some people might think.
He also did not donate the profits to the victims’ families, but rather used them to pay legal fees and settlements.
