Christopher Scarver, born on July 6, 1969, is an American convicted murderer known for the 1994 murders of his fellow inmates Jeffrey Dahmer and Jesse Anderson at the Columbia Correctional Institution in Wisconsin. His life has been marked by violence, mental health struggles, and a complex legal history.
Main Milestones
July 6, 1969
Birth
Christopher Scarver was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as the second of five children. His early life was marred by neglect, poverty, and exposure to crime, which would later contribute to his troubled adulthood.
Late 1980s
Early Criminal Behavior
Scarver began to exhibit signs of behavioral issues and a propensity for violence during his teenage years. He dropped out of James Madison High School in the eleventh grade and became addicted to alcohol and marijuana, leading his mother to force him out of her house.
June 1, 1990
Murder of Steve Lohman
Scarver went to the Wisconsin Conservation Corps training office and shot Steve Lohman once in the head, killing him. He demanded money from site manager John Feyen and later fired at Feyen but missed. Scarver was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison.
1992
Conviction and Incarceration
Scarver was convicted of murder at a jury trial and sentenced to life in prison. He was incarcerated at the Columbia Correctional Institution in Portage, Wisconsin.
November 28, 1994
Murders of Jeffrey Dahmer and Jesse Anderson
Scarver was assigned to a work detail in the gymnasium with Jeffrey Dahmer and Jesse Anderson. He used a metal bar to bludgeon Dahmer and a wooden stick to attack Anderson, killing both men. Scarver claimed he was motivated by disgust over Dahmer's crimes and believed he was acting as a vessel of holy vengeance.
1995
Trial and Additional Sentencing
Scarver was tried and convicted of two counts of first-degree intentional homicide for the murders of Dahmer and Anderson. He was sentenced to two consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole.
2000
Transfer to Federal Custody
Scarver was transferred into the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons and later moved to the ADX Florence supermax prison in Colorado due to concerns about the security of Wisconsin facilities.
2001
Relocation Due to Mental Health Concerns
Federal district court judge Barbara Crabb ordered that Scarver and other seriously mentally ill inmates be relocated from the Wisconsin Secure Program Facility due to concerns about their treatment.
2005
Civil Rights Suit
Scarver brought a federal civil rights suit against officials of the Wisconsin Secure Program Facility, alleging cruel and unusual punishment. The suit was dismissed, and his appeal was unsuccessful in 2006.
2012
Announcement of Tell-All Book
An agent representing Scarver announced that he was willing to write a tell-all book about the murder of Dahmer.
Present Day
Current Status
Christopher Scarver remains incarcerated, serving multiple life sentences. His case continues to spark debate about mental health in the prison system, public perception of justice, and the challenges of rehabilitating violent offenders.
