The Case of Edward W. Smith

Edward W. Smith, 27, disappeared from Milwaukee in June 1990 after meeting Jeffrey Dahmer. Dahmer later confessed that he drugged and strangled Smith at his apartment before disposing of his remains. No physical remains belonging to Smith were recovered.

Edward W. Smith was 27 years old and lived in Milwaukee. He was known to Dahmer through Milwaukee's nightlife and had reportedly met him previously. Smith disappeared during June 1990 after going with Dahmer to his apartment. Dahmer later told investigators that he had intended to photograph Smith and offered him money to accompany him. Dahmer drugged Smith and subsequently strangled him.

The murder occurred at Dahmer's apartment at 924 North 25th Street in Milwaukee. Dahmer later stated that he dismembered Smith's body and disposed of the remains. Unlike several other victims, no identifiable remains belonging to Smith were recovered from the apartment or elsewhere.

Edward Smith's disappearance remained unresolved during his lifetime. Following Dahmer's arrest in July 1991, investigators questioned him about missing Milwaukee men. Dahmer eventually identified Smith as one of the people he had murdered. Dahmer described killing Smith and disposing of his body, but investigators were unable to locate any remains that could definitively be identified as Smith.

Jeffrey Dahmer was never separately tried or convicted for Edward Smith's murder. He confessed to killing Smith as part of his admission to 17 murders. Smith was subsequently recognised as one of Dahmer's identified victims despite the absence of recovered remains.

Edward Smith's case demonstrates the difficulty investigators faced in accounting for all of Dahmer's victims. His murder was established primarily through Dahmer's confession, while his remains were never recovered.