The Disturbing Life Of Edmund Kemper: From Childhood To Infamy

Edmund Kemper, a name that strikes fear and intrigue, is often remembered as one of America's most notorious serial killers. His life story is a chilling account of the transformation from a troubled youth into a cold-blooded murderer. Born on December 18, 1948, in Burbank, California, Kemper’s journey into the darkness began at an early age. His actions would later cause panic throughout Santa Cruz, California, in the 1970s.

Who Is Edmund Kemper?

At the tender age of 15, Kemper committed his first murders by killing both of his grandparents. He claimed he did it to "see what it felt like." After being released, he became known for picking up female hitchhikers, initially letting them go before succumbing to his violent impulses. Over the course of his criminal career, he murdered six young women and, in a shocking turn, killed his own mother in 1973 before turning himself in to the police.

Early Life

Born the middle child of E. E. and Clarnell Kemper, Edmund's early life was marked by turmoil. His parents divorced in 1957, and he moved with his mother and two sisters to Montana. His relationship with his mother was strained; she was an alcoholic who constantly criticized him. This led to a troubled childhood, where he often felt isolated and forced to live in the basement away from his sisters.

Signs of his violent tendencies began to appear early on. Kemper created dark fantasies about killing his mother and even forced his sisters to play disturbing games. His childhood cruelty extended to animals, as he killed family pets, which foreshadowed his later heinous acts. After a brief stay with his father, he returned to live with his mother, who, in an attempt to manage his behavior, sent him to live with his paternal grandparents in North Fork, California.

Grandparents' Murder

Kemper found life on his grandparents' farm unbearable. They had taken away his rifle after he killed small animals, igniting a growing rage within him. On August 27, 1964, this anger culminated in tragedy when he shot his grandmother during an argument and later killed his grandfather upon his return home. This brutal act marked the beginning of Kemper's notorious reputation.

After committing these murders, Kemper called his mother, who urged him to report the incident to the police. He later expressed that he shot his grandmother to "see what it felt like" and killed his grandfather to spare him the pain of knowing his wife was dead. Kemper was subsequently committed to the California Youth Authority, where he underwent psychological evaluations that revealed a high IQ alongside paranoid schizophrenia.

Release and New Beginnings

In 1969, after serving time, Kemper was released at the age of 21. Despite warnings from prison doctors not to live with his mother due to their toxic relationship, he returned to Santa Cruz, California, where she had relocated. He attempted to reintegrate into society, attending community college and working various jobs, including one with the Department of Transportation.

Kemper had aspirations of becoming a state trooper, but his physical size—standing at 6 feet 9 inches and weighing around 300 pounds—led to his rejection. Instead, he mingled with local police officers, even receiving a training badge and handcuffs from them. However, his life took a dark turn when a motorcycle accident left him unable to work, and he began to focus on his growing obsession with young women.

The Co-ed Killer

Initially, Kemper would pick up female hitchhikers and let them go. However, this changed dramatically when he abducted two Fresno State students, Mary Ann Pesce and Anita Luchessa. Their families reported them missing, and their fates remained unknown until a dismembered head was found in the woods. Kemper later confessed to murdering them, bringing their bodies to his apartment for horrific acts that included decapitation.

Later that year, he murdered 15-year-old Aiko Koo and continued his killing spree with Cindy Schall in January 1973. Kemper would hide their bodies and dismember them, often burying parts in his mother's backyard. His final murders occurred on February 5, 1973, when he killed two students, Rosalind Thorpe and Alice Liu, using a campus parking sticker to access the university.

Mother's Murder

April 1973 marked the end of Kemper's murderous rampage when he killed his own mother after a heated argument. He attacked her while she slept, using a hammer and then a knife, ultimately decapitating her. In a chilling move, he called his mother's friend, Sally Hallett, to the house, where he killed her too.

The day after the murders, Kemper fled, eventually confessing to the Santa Cruz police. Initially, they were skeptical that the man known as "Big Ed" could be a murderer. However, Kemper's detailed confessions led police to the evidence proving he was the infamous "Co-ed Killer."

Trial and Imprisonment

In October 1973, Edmund Kemper faced trial for eight counts of first-degree murder. He was found guilty in early November and famously stated that he believed he should be tortured to death for his crimes. Instead, he received eight concurrent life sentences and is currently serving time at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville.

Kemper’s life story serves as a grim reminder of the complexities of human behavior and the factors that can lead to violent crime. His case continues to intrigue and horrify, raising questions about mental health, family dynamics, and societal responses to such individuals.

Quick Facts

• Name: Edmund Kemper
• Birth Year: 1948
• Birth Date: December 18, 1948
• Birth State: California
• Birth City: Burbank
• Birth Country: United States
• Gender: Male
• Best Known For: Serial killer who murdered six young women and several family members.
• Industries: Crime and Terrorism
• Astrological Sign: Sagittarius

The life of Edmund Kemper is filled with horror and tragedy, reflecting deeper psychological issues and societal failures. By understanding his story, we can better comprehend the complexities surrounding mental illness and criminal behavior.