Spoilers ahead. “Shadows of Silence: The Tragic Tale of Dennis Nilsen,” Netflix’s true crime documentary, unveils a harrowing story of needless loss in a culture riddled with intolerance. Dennis Nilsen, a convicted serial killer, preyed on young men, often targeting gay men, sex workers, or homeless youths. He lured them with the promise of food and shelter, only to end their lives. As a former police officer, Nilsen likely knew their disappearances would not be immediately investigated, thanks to the pervasive shame and discrimination surrounding the LGBTQ+ community in 1980s London. During that era, many young gay individuals ran away or were ousted from their homes, leaving their parents unaware of their fate. Even if parents noticed their absence, the fear of dealing with homophobic institutions like the police and press often kept them silent.
Nilsen confessed to up to 16 murders, but only eight victims were ever identified. His killing spree lasted from 1978 to 1983, even when some of his intended victims managed to escape. One early would-be victim evaded death by leaping through a window but chose not to press charges. Martyn, known only by his first name in the documentary, avoided the police after Nilsen’s attack due to fear of homophobia. Another survivor, Carl Stotter, nearly died from strangulation and drowning in 1981. When Nilsen inexplicably released him, Stotter reported the incident to the police, but his story was dismissed.
Even during Nilsen’s trial after his 1983 arrest, finding witnesses was challenging. Testifying meant revealing intimate details in a highly publicized trial and facing brutal cross-examination. However, some brave individuals, including Stotter, came forward and aided the prosecution. In October 1983, Nilsen was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for six counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder.
Nilsen spent his remaining years in prison, writing letters, recording tapes, and authoring an autobiography. He died in 2018 at HM Prison Full Sutton in Yorkshire, England, from a pulmonary embolism following surgery for an abdominal aortic aneurysm. He was 72.
Nilsen’s crimes continue to cast a long shadow. Although today’s society is more vigilant about missing young gay men, marginalized groups still face similar dangers. The 2000s saw the murders of several sex workers by the unidentified Long Island Serial Killer, whose victims remained undiscovered for years. In 2020, 45 transgender individuals were murdered in the United States, marking the deadliest year on record for trans people. On reservations, complex jurisdictional boundaries hinder investigations into missing or murdered Indigenous women, for whom homicide is the third leading cause of death.
As long as society treats certain groups as expendable, killers will exploit this vulnerability. Nilsen’s murderous urges may have been unchangeable, but his extended reign of terror was preventable. Fear of coming forward and the police’s neglect of missing person reports allowed him to continue his crimes. Nilsen will not be the last predator to target marginalized groups. It is crucial for law enforcement, the media, and society to empower victims to speak out and take their reports seriously to prevent future tragedies.