Get All Access for $5/mo

Jeffrey Dahmer-Inspired Halloween Costumes Banned at eBay Amid Netflix Series Backlash The online retailer declared the costumes in violation of its violence and violent crimes policy.

By Sam Silverman

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Photo by Marny Malin/Sygma via Getty Images

If you're a true crime fan looking for a Jeffrey Dahmer Halloween costume this Halloween, there's one site you can skip: eBay.

The online retailer banned the sale of costumes inspired by the serial killer following a surge of interest thanks to the hit Netflix true crime series Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.

The site found that the costumes — which include orange jumpsuits, masks, and his signature glasses — are in violation of its policy on violence and violent crimes. The policy prohibits selling items that "promote or glorify violence" or are inspired by notorious events or people.

"These items are prohibited for sale on our site and we are removing them," an eBay spokesperson told BuzzFeed News. As of this writing, eBay shows zero results for Jeffrey Dahmer costumes.

The decision followed a slew of online criticism towards anyone considering trick or treating as Dahmer.

The costume's popularity follows the renewed curiosity around Dahmer and Ryan Murphy's new Netflix series.

The serial killer murdered 17 people (that we know of) and engaged in necrophilia, cannibalism, and dismemberment of his victims' bodies. Since the show's release on Sept. 21, it's ranked as one of the most streamed show's ever with 701.37 million hours viewed in the first 28 days of its release, per Forbes.

Sam Silverman

Content Strategy Editor

Sam Silverman is a content strategy editor at Entrepreneur Media. She specializes in search engine optimization (SEO), and her work can be found in The US Sun, Nicki Swift, In Touch Weekly, Life & Style and Health. She writes for our news team with a focus on investigating scandals. Her coverage and expertise span from business news, entrepreneurship, technology, and true crime, to the latest in entertainment and TV news. Sam is a graduate of Lehigh University and currently resides in NYC. 

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business News

Southwest Is Making a Major Change to Its Boarding Process

The airline is quietly offering higher fees in exchange for the ability to pre-select seats.

Side Hustle

'I Could Never Go Back to Corporate': She Quit Her Silicon Valley Tech Job After Her Creative Side Hustle Hit 6 Figures

As a college student, A Jar of Pickles owner Kirstie Wang found it difficult to focus in class — instead teaching herself Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.

Business News

A Fifth Walt Disney World Theme Park Could Be Coming Soon — Here's What We Know

A unanimous agreement was reached in primary voting between Disney and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) on Wednesday.

Business News

Is One Company to Blame for Soaring Rental Prices in the U.S.?

The FBI recently raided a major corporate landlord while investigating a rent price-fixing scheme. Here's what we know.

Business News

Adobe Photoshop Users Are Outraged at the Company's New Terms: 'Am I Reading This Right?'

Adobe's new terms and conditions have creatives in an uproar.

Growing a Business

7 Strategies to Recession Proof Your Business in 2024 and Beyond

Insulate yourself from the turbulence so you can maximize the opportunities and grow.