Ed Kemper – Biography, Crimes, and Psychology Explained

Edmund Emil Kemper III, known as the Coed Killer, is one of the most studied figures in American criminal history. His combination of towering physical stature, high intelligence, and a series of brutal murders has made his case a cornerstone of modern forensic psychology. This article examines his life, crimes, and current status based on verified facts.

Who Is Ed Kemper? — Biography and Background

Edmund Emil Kemper III was born on December 18, 1948, in Burbank, California. He is widely known as the Coed Killer, a name that refers to the six female college students he murdered during an 11-month spree in the early 1970s. His case remains one of the most studied in criminal history due to the unusual combination of his physical size, intellectual capacity, and the nature of his crimes.

Kemper stands 6 feet 9 inches tall and weighs over 250 pounds, a physical presence that contrasts sharply with his articulate and often affable demeanor. This contrast, along with his reported IQ of 136, has made him a subject of enduring fascination for criminologists and the public alike.

• Kemper’s large physical stature (6’9″) and high intelligence (IQ 136) made him an unusually complex case in criminology.
• He committed his first murders (his grandparents) at age 15 but was legally overlooked for psychiatric evaluation.
• Kemper surrendered voluntarily to police, surprising investigators who were pursuing other leads.
• His interviews with FBI agents later became foundational material for the development of modern serial killer profiling.
• Despite multiple parole hearings, he has been denied each time and remains incarcerated.

How Many People Did Ed Kemper Kill? — The Victims and Crimes

Ed Kemper is confirmed to have killed ten people. This total includes his paternal grandparents, six female college students, his mother, and his mother’s best friend. The six college students were murdered between May 1972 and April 1973, a period during which he often picked up hitchhiking young women.

The First Murders: His Grandparents

On August 27, 1964, at age 15, Kemper shot and killed his paternal grandparents. He later told police he “just wanted to see what it felt like to kill Grandma.” Following the crime, he was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and sent to Atascadero State Hospital, a maximum-security facility for mentally ill convicts.

The Coed Killer Spree

After his release from Atascadero, Kemper began killing again in May 1972. Over the next 11 months, he murdered six female college students, often picking them up while they were hitchhiking. He mutilated their bodies, engaged in necrophilia, and in some cases brought the remains back to his mother’s house.

The Murder of His Mother and Her Friend

The spree ended on Easter weekend 1973. Kemper bludgeoned his mother with a claw hammer, decapitated her, and engaged in sexual acts with her severed head. He then called her best friend, lured her to the house, and strangled her. FBI agent Robert Fort, who interviewed Kemper under truth serum, alleged that Kemper also engaged in cannibalism, slicing flesh from victims’ legs to cook and consume in a casserole.

Why Did Ed Kemper Kill His Mother? — Psychology and Motivation

Kemper’s relationship with his mother was deeply troubled and is widely considered a central factor in his psychological development. He described her as domineering and emotionally abusive. The murder of his mother on Easter weekend 1973 was the culmination of years of resentment and rage.

What Is Ed Kemper’s IQ?

Initial IQ tests measured Kemper’s score at 136, more than two standard deviations above average. During his stay at Atascadero, a subsequent test produced a higher result of 145. Some sources report his IQ as 131, while others simply note he possesses a “genius level IQ.” At Atascadero, Kemper served as head of the psychological testing lab at age 19 and helped develop a new scale on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), the “Overt Hostility Scale.”

How Tall Is Ed Kemper?

Kemper is 6 feet 9 inches tall and weighs over 250 pounds. His imposing size, combined with his affable manner and high intelligence, made him an unusually complex figure for law enforcement and psychologists.

How Was Ed Kemper Caught? — Capture and Trial

Kemper’s capture was unusual. After killing his mother and her friend, he drove east, called the police from a phone booth in Pueblo, Colorado, and surrendered. He later told investigators he had considered killing more people but decided to stop. At the time of his surrender, police were pursuing other leads and had not yet identified him as the primary suspect.

The Trial and Sentencing

Kemper was indicted on eight counts of first-degree murder on May 7, 1973. Three court-appointed psychiatrists found him legally sane, and he himself requested the death penalty. On November 8, 1973, a six-man, six-woman jury deliberated for five hours before declaring him sane and guilty on all counts. Due to a Supreme Court moratorium on capital punishment in California, he received seven years to life for each count, served concurrently, and was sentenced to the California Medical Facility in Vacaville.

Where Is Ed Kemper Now? — Current Status and Imprisonment

Ed Kemper is still alive and remains incarcerated at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville, California. He has been held there since his trial in 1973. Despite multiple parole hearings, he has been denied each time. His next parole hearing date is not publicly confirmed in all databases, but he continues to be held without release.

Ed Kemper Life and Crime Timeline

1. December 18, 1948: Born in Burbank, California.
2. August 27, 1964: Shot and killed his grandparents at age 15.
3. 1969: Released from mental health facility over objections.
4. May 1972 – April 1973: Murdered 6 college students (Coed Killer spree).
5. Easter weekend 1973: Killed his mother and her friend.
6. April 24, 1973: Surrendered to police in Pueblo, Colorado.
7. November 8, 1973: Convicted of 8 murders.
8. Present: Incarcerated at California Medical Facility, Vacaville.

What Is Known and What Remains Unclear About Ed Kemper’s Case

What Is the Significance of Ed Kemper’s Case?

Ed Kemper’s case is a seminal example in the study of serial homicide. His combination of high intelligence, physical size, and the unique voluntary surrender to law enforcement challenged many early profiling stereotypes. His post-conviction cooperation with FBI profilers provided key insights into the psychology of serial murderers. The case also raises ongoing questions about the early detection of violent tendencies in juveniles, given the failure of the mental health system after the murder of his grandparents.

What Do Experts and Kemper Himself Say?

“Kemper was the perfect interview subject — articulate, intelligent, and introspective about his crimes.”

— FBI profiler John E. Douglas, author of Mindhunter

“I wanted to take a life for a life. I wanted to be the one to decide who lived and who died.”

— Ed Kemper, from a prison interview

Summary: Who Is Ed Kemper and Why Does His Case Matter?

Ed Kemper is a convicted serial killer whose case remains a critical reference point in criminology. His high intelligence, physical size, and voluntary surrender challenged early profiling assumptions. His cooperation with the FBI helped shape modern understanding of serial murderers. The case also highlights systemic failures in the juvenile mental health system, as Kemper was released after killing his grandparents despite clear warning signs. For a comprehensive overview, see the Ed Kemper: Biography, Crimes, IQ, and FBI Collaboration page.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ed Kemper