Tracy Edwards once hailed as the true hero in the Jeffrey Dahmer story. He has had a tumultuous life since his harrowing encounter with the infamous serial killer. Despite his bravery in escaping Dahmer and leading police to the killer. Tracy’s life spiraled into a series of unfortunate events and legal troubles.
A Life Marred by Legal Battles
Edwards sought $5 million in compensation. But his suit was dismissed by the Milwaukee court. Unlike the families of Dahmer’s victims, who received about $500,000 from a class action suit against Dahmer. Tracy was left with nothing but post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a broken spirit. Before meeting Dahmer, Edwards already had run-ins with the law. Including charges of sexual assault against a 14-year-old girl. His troubles only worsened after he escaped from Dahmer. He was arrested for drug possession, theft, property damage, failure to pay child support, and bail jumping.
Homelessness and Further Tragedy
By 2002, Tracy Edwards found himself homeless. A far cry from the hero who once brought down a notorious serial killer. As if life couldn’t get any more challenging. On July 26, 2011, just four days after the 20th anniversary of Dahmer’s arrest, Tracy was arrested for murder. Edwards and his friend, Timothy Carr, had an altercation with Jonny Jordan, another homeless man. A witness saw the three men fighting on a bridge over the Milwaukee River. The altercation ended with Jordan being pushed over the railing, falling 20 feet into the river. Tragically, Jordan did not survive, despite Carr’s attempt to save him.
A Grim Turn of Events
Details of the case remain sparse. Ultimately, Tracy Edwards pled guilty to aiding a felon and was sentenced to 1.5 years in prison, followed by two years of extended supervision. Timothy Carr received four years for recklessly endangering the victim. Reflecting on Tracy’s life, one can’t help but wonder if things could have been different. “It’s like Humpty Dumpty. It’s like he was never able to put the pieces back together again,” a sentiment that underscores the lasting impact of his ordeal with Dahmer.
Could Tracy’s life have turned out differently if Milwaukee officials had treated him better? Certainly. Could the police have caught Dahmer long before Tracy entered the picture? Absolutely. Tracy Edwards, once a pivotal figure in bringing down one of the most brutal serial killers in history, now lives a life overshadowed by a series of unfortunate events and missed opportunities for support and redemption.
