Edmund Kemper

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Edmund Emil Kemper III (born December 18, 1948), also known as the Co-ed Killer, is an American serial killer and necrophile who carried out a series of brutal murders in California in the early 1970s. Kemper's criminal acts are particularly notorious due to the nature of his victims, which included young female hitchhikers, and later, his mother and one of her friends. His crimes were a part of a larger pattern of violence that shocked and captivated the American public.

Early Life

Edmund Kemper was born in Burbank, California, to Clarnell Elizabeth Kemper and Edmund Emil Kemper II. His early life was marked by a troubled family dynamic, with his parents divorcing in 1957. Kemper exhibited signs of disturbed behavior from an early age, including cruelty to animals and dark fantasies. After his parents' divorce, Kemper moved with his mother and two sisters to Montana, where his relationship with his mother, described as abusive and domineering, further deteriorated.

Crimes

Kemper's criminal activities began in his teenage years. At the age of 15, he murdered his grandparents, claiming he "just wanted to see what it felt like to kill Grandma," which led to his commitment to the Atascadero State Hospital for the criminally insane. He was released at the age of 21, deemed no longer a threat to society.

Between May 1972 and April 1973, Kemper embarked on a murder spree that claimed the lives of eight people, including six female college students, his mother, and her friend. He would pick up his victims while they were hitchhiking, drive them to secluded areas, and then kill them. After the murders, Kemper engaged in acts of necrophilia and dismemberment.

Capture and Imprisonment

Kemper's own actions led to his capture. In April 1973, after killing his mother and her friend, he called the police and confessed to his crimes. He was found competent to stand trial and was charged with eight counts of first-degree murder. In November 1973, Kemper was convicted on all counts and requested the death penalty. However, due to a moratorium on capital punishment in California at the time, he was sentenced to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole.

In Popular Culture

Edmund Kemper's crimes have been the subject of various books, documentaries, and films. He has also been featured in episodes of the television series Mindhunter, where his interviews with FBI agents provided insights into the mind of a serial killer.

Psychological Profile

Experts have analyzed Kemper's behavior to understand the motivations behind his killings. Factors such as his tumultuous relationship with his mother, feelings of rejection, and a desire for power and control are often cited as contributing to his criminal behavior. Kemper's intelligence and articulate manner have allowed him to articulate his actions and thought processes in a way that has been valuable to law enforcement and psychiatric professionals.

See Also

• Serial killer
• Necrophilia
• FBI Behavioral Science Unit

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