Rita Isbell was portrayed by actress DaShawn “Dash” Barnes in the Netflix original film Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.
Isbell is the older sister of Errol Lindsey, who was murdered by serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer in April 1991. Social media is praising Barnes for her accurate depiction of the real Rita’s suffering during Dahmer’s insanity trial now, thirty years later, when Netflix is airing Dahmer’s tragedy.
The 10-episode limited series debuted on Netflix on September 21, 2022. It described Dahmer’s crimes up until his capture and imprisonment, including the murder of 17 men and young boys between 1978 and 1991.
Errol Lindsey was 19 years old when he first encountered Dahmer. Before drilling a hole in his brain, Dahmer lured him into his apartment and put him to sleep.
Perhaps the first person Dahmer tried to turn into a “living zombie” was Lindsey. Dahmer later killed Lindsey by strangling her to death. During the reading of the impact statements from the families of the victims, Rita Isbell was mentioned. Barnes’ accurate portrayal of Isbell’s sorrow and emotions has received appreciation from fans and internet users.
Rita Isbell was portrayed by DaShawn Barnes in the film Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.
An actress named DaShawn Barnes has appeared in shows like This Is Us and Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.
When a video of Barnes acting as Rita Isbell shrieking at Dahmer during the insanity trial was contrasted to the real Rita Isbell, it went viral.
The scene in the courtroom is from the eighth episode of the show, Lionel. Isbell’s original courtroom tape is muted, but Barnes’ answer in a nearby video can be contrasted with the original material. Isbell attacked Dahmer, assaulted his table, and yelled passionately about what “out of control” appeared to be.
They all had to sit there and keep it together, Isbell reportedly claimed in a 1992 AP News article. He saw exactly what Errol would have done in me. Only Errol would have hopped over it in this situation.
The jury found Jeffrey Dahmer to be insane at the time of the trial and gave him 15 consecutive life sentences. Internet users commended Barnes for accurately capturing Isbell’s sadness.
Others, though, questioned if the real Rita Isbell was contacted and granted consent to revisit the incident. Barnes wore a “100% Black” t-shirt with an overcoat, gold earrings, and similar clothing to Rita Isbell. However, internet users soon recognized that Barnes’ hair parting was different from the real Rita Isbell’s.
Despite the accolades, a number of online community members claimed that the broadcast made the victims’ families relive their grief. Barnes thanked everyone for their support after just announcing her engagement to her best friend. Along with her, Evan Peter played the series’ Dahmer, Richard Jenkins, Penelope Ann Miller, Niecy Nash, Michael Learned, Shaun J. Brown, and Colin Ford.
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