Northeast Ohio is a fantastic region full of hidden wonders, but it inevitably hides some dark history. This one township home is a mere 30 minutes outside of Cleveland, but it feels worlds away thanks to its unforgettable history.

This house in remote Bath Township looks just like any other.
Trulia
4480 W Bath Road doesn't particularly stand out. In fact, this 1950s home is located on just an acre and a half of land and is fairly hidden from the road.
But, when Jeffrey Dahmer was only 8 years old, his family moved in.
Murderpedia
In 1968, the Dahmer family moved into what was once praised as a home of the modern era. Its open windows and wooded yard must have charmed the Dahmers, as well as the man who would become the Milwaukee Cannibal.
On June 18, 1968, everything changed.
Google Maps
The scenic site infamously became the site of young Jeffrey Dahmer's first murder.
The tragedy began at the nearby (and now defunct) Chippewa Lake Amusement Park.
Dana Beveridge/Flickr
Steven Hicks, a 19-year-old from Coventry, was in attendance at a summer music festival. He was in the process of hitchhiking home when Dahmer picked him up and lured Hicks into his childhood home.
When Hicks tried to leave, Dahmer attacked him.
Trulia
After taking the young man's life, Dahmer dismembered his remains and buried them in a shallow grave in the yard.

Related Stories

7 Waterfront Retreats Near Cleveland That Are Perfect For Warm Weather Adventures

7 Waterfront Retreats Near Cleveland That Are Perfect For Warm Weather Adventures

 This Is The Most Cleveland Sound You'll Ever Hear, And We Can't Stop Listening To It

This Is The Most Cleveland Sound You'll Ever Hear, And We Can't Stop Listening To It

 The Largest Burger In Cleveland Requires 3 lbs. Of Bacon At Wild Eagle Saloon

The Largest Burger In Cleveland Requires 3 lbs. Of Bacon At Wild Eagle Saloon
Weeks after his murder and fearing discovery, Dahmer dug up the bones, shattered them with a sledgehammer, and tossed them in the woods behind the home.
Break Deruls/YouTube
That following August, he enrolled at Ohio State University to study business. Dahmer fell deep into alcoholism and dropped out of college after a mere three months.
Dahmer did not confess his crimes until 1991.
Trulia
Following his confession, police were able to locat Hicks' remains.
Over the years, the property has made headlines every time it appears on the housing market.
Google Maps
Most recently, the house attracted attention during the Republican National Convention, when its owner announced that visitors could rent it out for $8,000. What a way to learn about local history...
Today, the home seems warm and welcoming, hearkening back to its life before Dahmer.
Trulia
Locals will never forget its history, though, especially with the recent release of My Friend Dahmer (November, 2017).
Dahmer eventually confessed to murdering at least 16 other men and boys, but his story officially ended in 1994.
Trulia
Dahmer was beaten to death by fellow inmates while serving his sentence of 16 terms of life imprisonment. However, Dahmer's legacy is still remembered in Northeast Ohio with great sorrow.

For a look around Dahmer’s childhood home, check out this video by Break Derules:


This one lovely home hides a dark history; a humbling reminder that things aren’t always as they seem. Do you think you could ever live at the site of a past murder?

For another infamous site near Cleveland, check out the history of the Torso Murders of Kingsbury Run.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Related Articles