Texas pizzeria sparks outrage for ‘Jeffrey Dahmer Special’ display, while eBay blocks Dahmer-themed Halloween costumes
“If Jeffery Dahmer had preyed upon young, blonde, white women, there is not a single person who’d be dressing up their kids as him for Halloween nor a single one of you who’d find it funny.”
Capital Pizza in Lubbock, Texas is facing some backlash for its latest window display – called the “Jeffrey Dahmer Special.”
The display was inspired by the success of Netflix’s controversial drama series, which portrays the real-life case of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, portrayed by Evan Peters.
Dahmer murdered and dismembered seventeen men and boys, most of whom were Black, in Wisconsin between 1978 and 1991.
He was sentenced to life in prison in 1992, before ultimately being beaten to death by another inmate in 1994.
Capital Pizza’s store manager told TMZ that the display – which includes a severed finger, an eyeball, blood and guts – is made of ramen noodles and pepperoncini garnish.
Adding that the display has been out for around 3 weeks, and while it has drawn some complaints, others have brought their kids along to take pictures beside it.
Social media users have been sharing their thoughts on the gimmick, with the majority saying it is “poor taste” to make light of the death of innocent people and disrespectful to their grieving families.
One tweeter called the display, “further proof that there are some really twisted ass ppl in this world”.
A Texas pizzeria is showcasing a ‘Jeffrey Dahmer Special’ in its window, to mark Halloween
— Queer Insider 🏳️🌈 🏳️⚧️ (@qitweets) October 23, 2022
Capital Pizza, in Lubbock, has a display of edible prop body parts, referencing Dahmer, who committed the murder and dismemberment of seventeen men and boys between 1978 and 91
Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/tCC5KPdJpj
Meanwhile, eBay yesterday (October 22) confirmed that Jeffrey Dahmer costumes have been banned on the platform and are currently being removed under its “Violence and Violent Criminal Policy, per CNN.
The policy outlines, “Listings that promote or glorify violence or violent acts, or are associated with individuals who are notorious for committing violent acts, are not allowed.”
For days now, social media users have been voicing their disgust (some tweets below) that people are enthusiastically dressing themselves as Dahmer for Halloween.
There has been a particular backlash over some sharing images of their young kids (we won’t share the images, because of their age) dressed as the killer.
The mother of Tony Hughes, one of Dahmer’s victims, has called out stores for selling Halloween costumes themed around the show.
“It hurts for Netflix and all the online stores to profit off my son’s death… If Netflix hadn’t streamed the show, none of the families would be re-victimized… and then there’d be no Dahmer costumes”
Hughes was deaf and only 31-years-old when he was killed by Dahmer on May 24, 1991.
While TikToker’s like Jack Wright have faced backlash for recreating scenes from the Netflix drama, for comedy purposes.
ew he’s over
— akon 🫧 (@onickaspet) October 16, 2022
The show has become a divisive talking point online, as some have become fanatical over the story, while others have slammed the streamer for “re-traumatizing” the victims’ families.
Netflix wasn’t required to consult families of those murdered because the events it portrays are public record.
If Jeffery Dahmer had preyed upon young, blonde, white women, there is not a single person who’d be dressing up their kids as him for Halloween nor a single one of you who’d find it funny.
— Just Peachy – She/Her (@PeachyInNJ) October 22, 2022
student in my class said she wants to be jeffrey dahmer for halloween
— Aurora 🦇🏳️⚧️ (@SpectralAurora_) October 22, 2022
the white girl + netflix combo needs to END
I’m am urging people to PLEASE not dress up as Jeffery Dahmer for Halloween. We get that there is a cool new Netflix show about him but this man was a real life murderer who does not deserve the praise. Deadass you can dress up as any fake murderer. DO NOT DRESS AS DAHMER
— AnxieTea (@teais_tasty) October 4, 2022
Dressing up as Dahmer for Halloween is NOT a costume! You are glorifying his murders. If you believe it’s harmless tell it to these victims’ families who’ve lost. It is NOT an opinion it is a FACT! pic.twitter.com/17vRWkIaNC
— Chong Kim (@iamchongkim) October 17, 2022
jeffery dahmer was such a successful serial killer because of american police having a racism problem, not because he was a genius.
— El Barto! (@aidxcarti) September 24, 2022
Muting this because I said what I said.
— Just Peachy – She/Her (@PeachyInNJ) October 22, 2022
Dahmer costumes are happening this Halloween specifically because of that movie. People know what they’re doing.
It’s also one thing to be an adult and be twisted enough to think it’s edgy to dress as a real serial killer. But kids? pic.twitter.com/Vpr4lmTWCb