Overview of Ed Kemper: The Co-Ed Killer
This episode of Killer Psyche (Wondery | Treefort Media), hosted by former FBI profiler Candice DeLong, examines the life, crimes, arrest, trial, and psychological makeup of Edmund “Ed” Kemper — the so-called “Co-Ed Killer.” Through a chronological retelling and expert analysis, the episode traces Kemper’s upbringing, early violent acts, escalating murders of young women in Northern California (1972–1973), the slaying of his mother and her friend, his confession and conviction, and what his case taught investigators about sexual fantasy, necrophilia, and modern profiling. Content warning: the episode discusses graphic violence, sexual abuse, necrophilia, and animal torture.
Key points and main takeaways
- Ed Kemper murdered eight people in 1972–1973 (plus two earlier elderly victims), targeting young female hitchhikers and later his mother and her friend. He dismembered victims and engaged in necrophilia.
- His crimes were driven by profound rage toward women (rooted in his childhood relationships, especially with his mother), intense sexual fantasies, and a desire for absolute control and possession.
- Kemper displayed high intelligence (IQ reported as 145), superficial charm, and the ability to deceive mental-health professionals — traits that allowed him to avoid detection and be released from a psychiatric facility.
- His case became central to FBI behavioral interviews (Robert Ressler and John Douglas) and to the development of modern criminal profiling, particularly the role of fantasy in sexually motivated serial murderers.
- Despite decades of good behavior in custody, Kemper has been repeatedly denied parole; psychiatrists have continued to assess him as a high re-offense risk.
Timeline (as presented in the episode)
- Childhood–adolescence: Extreme parental conflict, alleged emotional/psychological abuse by his mother, early animal torture (burying and beheading cats), and the homicidal triangle behaviors highlighted as risk markers.
- August 27, 1964: At age 15, Kemper killed his grandparents, was found guilty and sent to Atascadero State Hospital (diagnosed then with paranoid schizophrenia).
- 1969: Paroled from Atascadero and returned to live with his mother despite professionals’ warnings.
- May 7, 1972: Two 18-year-old women (Marianne Pesch and Anita Luchessa) abducted and murdered after accepting a ride; bodies mutilated and scattered.
- September 14, 1972: 15-year-old Aiko Ku abducted, murdered, and dismembered.
- January 8, 1973: 18-year-old Cindy Schall killed; part of her remains found washed ashore the next day.
- February 5, 1973: 23-year-old Rosalyn Thorpe and 21-year-old Alice Liu murdered and later found dismembered.
- April 20–21, 1973: Kemper murdered his mother, Clarnell Strandberg (decapitation, necrophilia), then her friend Sally Hallett; he fled to Colorado but telephoned police and was arrested and returned.
- June–November 1973: Pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity; found legally sane, convicted of eight counts of murder; sentenced to concurrent life terms and confined to medical/prison facilities (Vacaville, later California Medical Facility).
Background & psychological profile
- Family and upbringing: Parents’ volatile relationship; moved several times; Kemper reported severe emotional abuse, favoritism toward sisters, repeated humiliation by his mother.
- Early violent behaviors: Serial animal abuse and the killing of his grandparents at age 15 — classic early red flags that foreshadow later escalation.
- Sexual fantasy and necrophilia: Developed persistent, paraphilic fantasies involving sexual activity with dead bodies and dismemberment. For Kemper, necrophilia functioned as ultimate possession and humiliation of women (often symbolic revenge against his mother).
- Intelligence and manipulation: Highly intelligent and verbally composed; learned to manipulate psychiatric evaluators and portray himself as stable and cooperative.
- Diagnoses and personality: Early psychiatric diagnoses (paranoid schizophrenia) were later questioned by experts; later assessments identified antisocial and narcissistic personality disorders and a lack of genuine remorse.
Investigation, confession, and trial
- Pattern recognition: Discovery of multiple dismembered bodies prompted police to look for links between cases; the “Co-Ed Killer” label appeared as victims were college-age.
- Arrest: After murdering his mother and her friend, Kemper fled but called police from Colorado expressing fear of himself; authorities detained him and recovered bodies/locations of remains following his cooperation.
- Legal outcome: Pleaded insanity; prosecutors presented videotaped confessions and psychiatric testimony finding him legally sane. Jury convicted him on November 8, 1973; sentence was eight concurrent life terms.
- Post-conviction: Participated in prison programs (e.g., audiobook recordings), repeatedly denied parole. In 2024 psychiatrists ruled he remained high-risk; next parole eligibility noted for 2031.
Significance for profiling and forensic psychology
- Case used by FBI agents Robert Ressler and John Douglas: Kemper exemplified how violent sexual fantasies develop and eventually drive action; his interviews helped build the framework of modern criminal profiling.
- Fantasy as a driver: The episode emphasizes that for many sexually motivated serial killers, fantasies provide rehearsal and reinforcement, deepening over time and ultimately being acted upon.
- Systems failure: The story illustrates missed intervention opportunities — early violent behaviors and problematic family dynamics were either misunderstood or minimized by authorities and clinicians.
Notable quotes and insights (from the episode/transcript)
- Kemper (reported): “I just wanted to see what it felt like to kill grandma.”
- Kemper to Robert Ressler: “What are they going to do to me if I do kill you? Take away my TV privileges?”
- Candice DeLong’s analysis: Murder served as “foreplay” for Kemper — sexual arousal linked to domination, necrophilia, and revenge.
- From profiling work: Repeat, sexually motivated killers often escalate fantasies into real violence when isolated and arousal/hostility deepen.
What listeners should know / content note
- The episode contains explicit descriptions of murder, dismemberment, sexual violence, and animal cruelty. Listener discretion is strongly advised.
- The episode references books and research: Margaret Cheney’s The Co-Ed Killer and Robert Ressler’s Whoever Fights Monsters are mentioned as further reading.
Production and credits (brief)
- Host: Candice DeLong (former FBI profiler and psychiatric nurse)
- Written/researched by: Mary Chilenza and Jada Williams
- Producers and sound/design: Treefort Media & Wondery (credits given in the episode)
- Additional sources and interviews referenced include FBI profiling work by Robert Ressler and John Douglas.
Further reading / resources
- Whoever Fights Monsters — Robert K. Ressler (on FBI interviews and profiling)
- The Co-Ed Killer — Margaret Cheney (biography and case details)
- For help/support regarding violent content or trauma responses, consult local mental health services or crisis lines.
This summary condenses the episode’s narrative and analysis of Ed Kemper’s life, crimes, and the investigative and psychological lessons drawn from the case.