Edmund Emil Kemper III, also known as the “Co-Ed Killer”, is one of the most infamous American serial killers in history. Born on December 18, 1948, in Burbank, California, Kemper’s life was marked by severe psychological issues and a disturbing pattern of escalating violence, ultimately leading to the murders of 10 people in the early 1970s, including his grandparents and his own mother. His intelligence and psychological profile have made him a subject of interest for criminologists and psychologists alike.
Early Life and Psychological Struggles:
Kemper’s early life was marked by trauma and isolation. His parents divorced when he was young, and his relationship with his mother, Clarnell Strandberg, was particularly toxic. She reportedly abused him emotionally and physically, frequently locking him in the basement, belittling him, and instilling a deep-seated hatred in him. His mother’s dominance and cruelty would later be a major factor in his crimes, especially in how he targeted women.
By the age of 10, Kemper showed signs of disturbing behavior, including killing small animals and displaying a fascination with death. His early violent tendencies escalated, and by the time he was 15, he committed his first murders.
At the age of 15, Kemper fatally shot his paternal grandparents, Edmund Emil Kemper Sr. and Maude Matilda Hughey Kemper, in August 1964. Kemper claimed he killed his grandmother out of anger and shot his grandfather to spare him from seeing his wife’s death. He was diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic by court psychiatrists and sent to the Atascadero State Hospital, a maximum-security facility for mentally ill convicts.
However, while there, Kemper showed remarkable intelligence, with an IQ of 145, and he manipulated the hospital staff into believing he was rehabilitated. He was released at the age of 21 in 1969, with the understanding that he would live with his mother.
Escalation to Serial Killing:
Kemper’s violent tendencies returned within a few years. Between 1972 and 1973, he embarked on a brutal killing spree in California, earning him the nickname the “Co-Ed Killer.” His victims were primarily young female students whom he would pick up as hitchhikers. He would murder them, typically by shooting, stabbing, or strangling, and then engage in acts of necrophilia and dismemberment.
Some of his notable victims included:
- Aiko Koo (15 years old) – Killed on September 14, 1972.
- Cindy Schall (18 years old) – Killed on January 8, 1973.
- Rosalind Thorpe (23 years old) and Alice Liu (21 years old) – Killed on February 5, 1973.
Kemper would often return to his victims’ bodies after killing them, engaging in macabre post-mortem rituals. His killings were a manifestation of deep-seated misogyny and his unresolved rage toward his mother.
Kemper’s final two victims were his mother, Clarnell Strandberg, and her best friend, Sally Hallett. On April 20, 1973, Kemper bludgeoned his mother to death with a hammer while she slept and then decapitated her, performing grotesque rituals with her head. He later invited Hallett over and killed her as well to cover his tracks. These murders were the culmination of years of built-up resentment and hatred toward his mother.
Confession and Arrest:
Following the murder of his mother and Hallett, Kemper fled to Colorado but soon felt compelled to confess. On April 23, 1973, he called the police from a payphone in Pueblo, Colorado, and confessed to his crimes. Initially, the police didn’t believe him due to his calm demeanor, but he eventually convinced them. Kemper was arrested and charged with multiple counts of murder.
At his trial, Kemper was found guilty of eight counts of first-degree murder. He requested the death penalty but was instead sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, as California had a moratorium on capital punishment at the time.
Kemper is currently incarcerated at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville, California, where he has been since his conviction. He has been denied parole numerous times and has stated that he believes he should never be released.
Psychological Profile:
Kemper’s intelligence and willingness to cooperate with authorities have made him a notable case in the study of criminal psychology. He has been extensively interviewed by law enforcement and psychologists, providing insight into the mind of a serial killer. Kemper’s ability to charm and manipulate, combined with his violent misogyny and necrophilic tendencies, places him among the most disturbing figures in criminal history.
- Kemper’s story has been referenced in various forms of popular culture, including movies, books, and TV shows.
- He was portrayed by actor Cameron Britton in the hit Netflix series Mindhunter, which explores the FBI’s early efforts to understand the psychology of serial killers through interviews, many of which were based on real-life encounters with Kemper.
- His calm demeanor and the brutal nature of his crimes have fascinated and horrified the public for decades.
Legacy:
Ed Kemper remains a chilling figure in the annals of serial killer history, not only for the brutality of his crimes but for the insight he provides into the psychology of violent offenders. His story continues to serve as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by untreated psychological disorders and the complexities of human behavior.
Despite spending the rest of his life behind bars, Kemper’s case continues to intrigue those studying criminal behavior. His combination of intelligence, charm, and extreme violence makes him a subject of enduring fascination within criminology and popular culture.
