Online retailer eBay shuts down sales of Jeffrey Dahmer costumes inspired by popular Netflix series about cannibalistic serial killer

The extraordinarily popular Netflix series "Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story" has spawned a number of online controversies as users have hotly debated the show's depiction of one of the nation's most notorious serial killers, as well as the appropriateness of the numerous internet memes the show has spawned. Now, unsurprisingly, another controversy has arisen: the increase in popularity of Jeffrey Dahmer costumes.

At least one online retailer, auction site Ebay, has announced that they will not accept listings for Jeffrey Dahmer costumes any longer. In a statement announcing the decision, eBay stated that it would not permit "listings that promote or glorify violence or violent acts," which would include costumes of individuals who are notorious for committing acts of violence.

The Neftlix series has been a hit by the streaming service's standards, amassing 196 viewing hours in the first week of its release alone. However, many have criticized the show's portrayal of Dahmer as insensitive to the victims and their families, who were apparently not consulted prior to the release of the series. Dahmer is known to have murdered and dismembered at least 17 men and boys during the period from 1978 through 1991. Dahmer was caught when one of his intended victims, Tracy Edwards, managed to escape and inform the police. Dahmer confessed to the killings, as well as having dismembered, sexually assaulted, and eaten some of his dead victims.

Dahmer was sentenced to life in prison in 1992, and was beaten to death in 1994 while he was incarcerated.