Edmund Emil Kemper III, an American serial killer whose heinous acts shook the nation, remains a subject of deep analysis in criminology and psychology. His criminal activities, spanning from May 1972 to April 1973, resulted in the deaths of 10 individuals, including his own mother and her best friend.

Early Life and Background

Born on December 18, 1948, in Burbank, California, Kemper's troubled childhood was marked by a turbulent family life. His parents' divorce when he was a young child played a significant role in shaping his psyche. Kemper's relationship with his mother was particularly strained, a factor that later manifested in his gruesome crimes.

The Beginning of a Killer

At the tender age of 15, Kemper committed his first murders. In a chilling foreshadowing of his future crimes, he shot and killed his paternal grandparents in August 1964. These initial acts of violence landed him in the Atascadero State Hospital, where he was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. However, by the time he was 21, he was released with the belief that he had been rehabilitated.

The Murder Spree

Kemper's most infamous crimes occurred between 1972 and 1973. Standing at 6 feet 9 inches and weighing over 250 pounds, his imposing figure added a terrifying dimension to his murderous acts. He primarily targeted young female hitchhikers, luring them into his vehicle and then killing them. These victims were later dismembered, and he engaged in necrophilia.