The Case of Curtis Durrell Straughter

Curtis Durrell Straughter, 17, was murdered by Jeffrey Dahmer in Milwaukee on February 18, 1991. Dahmer approached Straughter near a bus stop and offered him money to accompany him to his apartment, where he drugged and strangled him. His remains were later recovered from Dahmer's apartment.

Curtis Straughter was 17 years old and lived in Milwaukee. He was known by the nickname "Demetra" and had been involved with Gay Youth Milwaukee, where he was described as well-liked and someone who made friends easily. On February 18, 1991, Dahmer encountered Curtis near a bus stop close to Marquette University. Dahmer offered him money to accompany him to his apartment at 924 North 25th Street and pose for photographs. Curtis went with Dahmer to the apartment, where Dahmer drugged him before killing him.

The murder occurred inside Dahmer's apartment at 924 North 25th Street in Milwaukee. According to Dahmer's confession, he gave Curtis a drugged drink and then strangled him with a strap. He subsequently dismembered the body. Dahmer also photographed the dismemberment and retained Curtis's skull.

Curtis was reported missing after disappearing on February 18, 1991. His disappearance remained unresolved until Dahmer was arrested in July 1991. Following Dahmer's arrest, investigators recovered numerous human remains from his apartment. Curtis's skull was among the remains recovered and was identified through dental records. The FBI also examined forensic evidence associated with Curtis as part of the investigation into Dahmer's murders.

Jeffrey Dahmer was convicted of Curtis Straughter's murder in Milwaukee and received a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Curtis's remains were recovered from Dahmer's apartment following his arrest and identified through dental records.

Curtis was Dahmer's tenth known victim and the first person he murdered after a gap of approximately five months. His killing marked the beginning of the final and most concentrated period of Dahmer's murders, during which he killed seven people between February and July 1991.