Early signs often indicate a future as a serial killer in certain children, and Edmund Kemper III displayed several of these signs during his youth. He took pleasure in harming and killing animals, and even engaged in disturbing activities with his sister’s Barbie dolls, such as decapitating them.
Growing up to be a towering figure at 6’9”, Kemper spent much of his childhood confined to the locked basement of his mother’s house in California. In a recent podcast detailing Kemper’s life, true crime expert Kristina Collins shed light on his upbringing: “As Ed matured, his mother relegated him to the basement, denying him a proper room in the house.
“He was forced to reside in the basement whenever he was home, as [his mother] found it inappropriate for him to share a room with his sisters.”
At 15, Kemper moved in with his grandparents, where the tragic events unfolded. Following a dispute with his grandmother, Maude Kemper, he fatally shot her and his grandfather, Edmund Kemper Sr., upon his return home.
Calmly contacting the authorities after the killings, Kemper remarked to the police: “I wanted to experience what it was like to end a life.” However, darker deeds were yet to come.
Convicted of his grandparents’ murders, Kemper was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and confined to the high-security Atascadero State Hospital. Despite his troubled past, he excelled as a model inmate, demonstrating intelligence and diligence in assigned tasks.
An Atascadero psychiatrist lauded Kemper’s work ethic, stating: “His positive behavior sets him apart from typical sociopaths. He took pride in his duties.” Kemper later admitted that administering psychological tests to fellow inmates helped him understand and manipulate the system.
Reflecting on his time at the hospital, Kemper revealed: “With an IQ of 145, I was well-equipped to become a proficient serial killer.” Kristina elaborates, “He thrived in the hospital environment, honing his skills and forming bonds, including with a fellow inmate who shared his criminal experiences.”
Convincing authorities of his rehabilitation, Kemper was released on parole at 21 and returned to his mother’s residence, reigniting familial tensions: “My mother and I engaged in vicious battles, unlike any other. It escalated beyond verbal to physical altercations, something I never experienced with anyone else, especially my mother…”
In his early twenties, Kemper faced a severe motorcycle accident, using the compensation to buy a car resembling a police vehicle. He cruised California highways, picking up young female hitchhikers.
Initially suppressing his homicidal urges dubbed as “little zappies,” Kemper’s actions took a dark turn on May 7, 1972, when he targeted Mary Ann Pesce and Anita Mary Luchessa, two students. Justifying his choice, he noted their perceived social status compared to other potential victims.
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