What do all these people have in common: Jeffrey Dahmer, Charles Manson and Michael Larson.


Ding, Ding, Ding: Criminals who were born or lived in Ohio. 


OK, you don't know Michael Larson? Ya, me either. He's not a very notorious criminal. He was, however, on last weeks This American Life and, thus, this inspiration for this post.  You can listen to the whole story on the link above. But, the gist of it goes something like... he got about $100,000 by figuring out the code for Press Your Luck. That wasn't the illegal part. I think it was the other scams that came after it.


Now, onto the really good stories.


Jeffrey Dahmer. I said something to an international about Dahmer and she had no idea who I was talking about. Cannabalism! The world must be up on a cannibalism--I mean, that is not your average serial killer.


Dahmer was not actually born in Ohio. So, when I mention famous people from Ohio, I will exclude him.  He did live in Bath for a number of years. And this is the part where I start to feel a little uncomfortable...He went to Ohio State. It was before I was born. But I think about those days at college and think that maybe Dahmer and I sat on the same part of the oval. *Shutter*


And, Manson. While less...hmmm...cannibalistic than Dahmer, was the winner of who's more sadistic. And, associated with Brian Wilson. Thus, I will claim this Cincinnati native as Ohio's own. Even though, rumor has it, his mom is from Kentucky.  Ya, not so much on Manson's time in Ohio. Not so much on his youth at all. I think that's a good sign his childhood was not full of bunnies and chocolate. Years of turmoil, California and, tad ah, serial killer extraordinaire. 


OK, the point of this was: I had no idea these people were from Ohio. And, we have some really amazing people from Ohio. Like THOMAS EDISON and CLARK GABLE and PAUL NEWMAN. And, I figure, we just have to counter balance the awesome. So, we got, like two of the worst serial killers of all time.  


Though when, in an attempt to prove Ohio was the coolest at everything, I googled "famous criminals from Indiana" I got back Bonnie & Clyde and Dillinger.  

I figure it's a midwest thing.