Jeffrey Dahmer victim's family bashes Netflix series in more backlash
Milwaukee, Wisconsin - Netflix's series Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story is facing further criticism from the family of another of the serial killer's victims, Tony Hughes.
The victim's mother, Shirley Hughes, slammed the hit show for its inaccurate portrayal of her son's murder.
The series, created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, debuted on the streaming site on September 21. The ten-part show attempted to focus on the victims more so than the infamous killer, but many have argued that the show ultimately failed in this regard.
Tony was the 12th victim of Jeffrey Dahmer. He was killed in 1991, when he was 31 years old. He was deaf, having lost his hearing as a child, and communicated through sign language and writing.
The sixth episode of Netflix's Dahmer, titled "Silenced," focuses on Tony's murder, with Rodney Burford portraying the victim.
Though some viewers praised the episode's moving portrayal of Tony's life before he was murdered, his mother has called out the show's inaccuracy.
Though she hasn't watched the whole series, Shirley Hughes told the Guardian that it "didn't happen like that."
The families of Dahmer's victims were not contacted about the series
The Netflix show has faced intense backlash from the families of the victims since it was first released.
Eric Perry, who is the cousin of Dahmer's 11th victim Errol Lindsey, bashed the show on Twitter, calling it "retraumatizing" for the victims' loved ones. Perry confirmed in his tweets that none of the families were contacted about the series.
Hughes similarly expressed her devastation at the show's portrayal of her son's life and death without her approval.
"I don't see how they can do that," she said. "I don't see how they can use our names and putting out that stuff out that like there."
Hughes later said that it's too difficult to talk about her son's murder and declined to comment further.
The series portrays Hughes in addition to her son, with actor Karen Malina White taking on the role.
However, it seems that the scrutiny has not been enough to hurt the show, as Dahmer continues to dominate Netflix's streaming charts.
Cover photo: FRAZER HARRISON / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP