From Slenderman to Jeffrey Dahmer: 9 Notorious Wisconsin Violent Crimes (Photos)

Slenderman Stabbing

In May 2014, two 12-year-old Waukesha girls lured a classmate into the woods near their homes and stabbed her 19 times. The victim survived and was found by a passing cyclist. The perpetrators claimed they tried to kill the girl to impress Slenderman. 

Jeffrey Dahmer Murders

Between 1978 and 1991, Milwaukee resident Jeffrey Dahmer is believed to have killed 17 young men. He kept body parts of his victims in his apartment and told police he had drilled holes into his victims head and poured acid into their brains in an attempt to create a subservient sex slave

Ed Gein Murders

Plainsfield resident Ed Gein was convicted of murdering two women as well as stealing womens’ bodies from nearly a dozen fresh graves. Police found items in his home fashioned out of human bones and human skin upon his arrest. His crimes served as the inspiration for “Psycho” and “Silence of the Lambs.”

Teresa Halbach’s Murder

In October 2005, photographer Teresa Halbach disappeared after visiting the home of Steven Avery. Avery, who had been released from prison after being falsely convicted of rape just two years prior, was tried and convicted of her murder along with his nephew, Brendan Dassey. The case became the subject of the Netflix documentary series “Making a Murderer.”

Oak Creek Sikh Temple Shooting

On Aug. 5, 2012, a man entered a Sikh temple in Oak Creek and opened fire, killing six worshipers and wounding four others. The gunman later killed himself before police could take him alive. 

Chai Vang Shooting

On Nov. 21, 2004, a man living in Minnesota named Chai Vang was hunting in northern Wisconsin. He was approached by a group of men who told him he was hunting on private land. Exactly what happened next is unclear — but in the end, Vang shot eight of the men, six of whom died.

Walter E. Ellis Murders

Walter E. Ellis was convicted in 2011 for a series of seven rapes and murders in the notorious Milwaukee North Side Strangler case. 

Terry Ratzmann Shooting

In March  2005, Terry Ratzmann entered his church, the Living Church of God, with a handgun. He fired 22 rounds in total, killing seven people. Ratzmann was later found dead in a hotel room from a self-inflicted gunshot. 

Tyler Peterson Shooting

In October 2007, 20-year-old sheriff’s deputy Tyler Peterson entered an apartment where a homecoming party was taking place and opened fire, killing six people. He then killed himself.