A child showing early signs of becoming a serial killer can be alarming, and Edmund Kemper III displayed concerning behaviors in his youth. He found pleasure in harming animals and engaged in disturbing rituals involving his sister’s Barbie dolls, cutting off their heads and hands. Kemper, who would later grow to be 6’9” tall, often slept in the locked basement of his mother’s house during his childhood.
Sent to live with his grandparents at 15, Kemper’s violent tendencies escalated when he fatally shot his grandmother and grandfather after an argument. He chillingly confessed to the police that he wanted to experience killing his grandmother. Following his conviction for these murders, Kemper was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and placed in a high-security psychiatric hospital.
Despite his heinous crimes, Kemper exhibited model behavior in the hospital, impressing staff with his intelligence and work ethic. He even gained trust to administer psychiatric tests to other inmates, using the opportunity to manipulate the system and learn from fellow offenders. After convincing authorities of his rehabilitation, Kemper was released on parole at the age of 21.
Returning to live with his mother, Kemper’s violent tendencies resurfaced, leading to a series of brutal murders. He targeted young female hitchhikers, engaging in disturbing acts of violence and necrophilia. Kemper’s escalating crimes culminated in the murder of his mother and her friend before he turned himself in to the police.
Arrested and convicted in 1973, Kemper received a life sentence in prison. Despite being eligible for parole since 2017, he has expressed contentment with his life behind bars.