‘They didn’t ask me, they just did it’: Rita Isbell on being portrayed in Netflix’s Dahmer

Just five days after the cousin of Errol Lindsey spoke out against Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story; Rita Isbell, his sister, has officially condemned the series.

Rita famously had an emotional breakdown in court when coming face-to-face with serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer. Her brother was his 11th known victim. The footage, which has gone viral on Twitter, was recreated in the Netflix series.

Netflix Jeffrey Dahmer’s victim’s sister and the real Rita in 1992 #jeffreydahmer #serialkillers #truecrime #truecrimecommunity pic.twitter.com/t8fZe1S2oT

— Carol DaRonch (@CarolDaRonch) September 21, 2022

Errol and Rita’s cousin, Eric, branded the show “retraumatising” for their family, and said Netflix was “wild” for even including the scene, allegedly without their permission.

Now, in an interview with Insider, Rita herself has called Netflix “money-hungry” for making another series about Dahmer. She claims she didn’t give permission for her breakdown to be portrayed by an actor, and she didn’t even find out until she saw the clip online.

Photo via Netflix

“When I saw some of the show, it bothered me, especially when I saw myself,” she told the publication. “When I saw my name come across the screen and this lady saying verbatim exactly what I said… If I didn’t know any better, I would’ve thought it was me.

“I was never contacted about the show. I feel like Netflix should’ve asked if we mind or how we felt about making it. They didn’t ask me anything. They just did it,” she said.

Rita went on to allege none of the proceeds from Monster have gone to any of the victims’ families: “The victims have children and grandchildren. If the show benefited them in some way, it wouldn’t feel so harsh and careless.” Errol himself became a dad in the same year he died. He now has one grandchild.

Photo via Netflix

She rounded off by saying “the show bringing up old feelings did hurt.” Netflix hasn’t yet responded to mounting claims from the victims’ families that they were never asked permission to be portrayed.

The Tab has contacted Netflix for comment.

Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story is now streaming on Netflix. For all the latest Netflix news, drops, quizzes and memes like The Holy Church of Netflix on Facebook. 

Related stories recommended by this writer:

• All the previous convictions Jeffrey Dahmer had before he was arrested for his murders
• Is Club 219 real? The nightclub featured in the Dahmer series on Netflix
• Who was Jeffrey Dahmer victim Tony Hughes and where are his family now?

Featured image via Netflix.