Matt Turner Early Life and Family Background
Matt Cleveland Turner was born on August 16th, 1970, in Chicago. He grew up in Flint, Michigan, living there with his mother, Rosa, and stepfather, Wadel Fletcher. Matt occasionally used the name Donald Mantol.
Personality and Social Life
Matt was outgoing and, because of that, very noticeable. He frequented several north side bars, enjoyed dressing up, and liked posing for photos. “He was just happy and cheery and singing his song,” said Matt’s Aunt Katherine Raglin. Even if he didn’t know all the words, he’d always be singing.
Move to Chicago and Dreams of Modeling
Around 1990, Matt moved out of his home in Flint to live in Chicago, motivated by his biggest dream: becoming a model. He lived in a north-side residential facility for teens called Project Opportunity.
Deborah Hen, executive director of teen living programs, said that Matt came from a troubled family situation and wanted to put his life together. “He got a fairly good job and was able to save money, and after Christmas, he felt confident that he would be able to go out on his own,” Debbie Hinn said.
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Employment and Social Interactions
Matt spent some time in a government-run jobs program, often worked as a salesman, and was employed at a Chicago-style pizza place, where he worked for about a month and a half. He worked behind the counter but liked to go around to tables and talk with customers. Some of them later told the owner that Matt was a great and really enthusiastic young man.
Disappearance and Final Days
The last time relatives saw Matt was at the end of June, but they said it was not unusual for him to disappear for weeks at a time. He borrowed some money from Patty on June 26th, which was his day off work, and told her he was trying to deal with some personal problems. Suddenly, he didn’t show up for work the next day. One of Matt’s cousins, Esther Johnson, said that Matt mentioned something about planning a trip to Milwaukee.
Tragic Encounter with Jeffrey Dahmer
In the summer of 1991, Matt was waiting at a bus station near the Gay Pride Parade in Chicago, which Jeffrey Dahmer attended. Dahmer met Turner at the bus station. Dahmer lured him to his apartment in Milwaukee under the pretense of earning some money for posing for nude photos. When Police arrived at Dahmer’s place, Matt was drugged and strangled. His body was dismembered. Matt is buried in Michigan. Matt Turner was 20 years old.
