Edmund Kemper
Edmund Kemper murdered eight women and girls in 1972–1973, including a 15-year-old girl and his own mother. Many victims were hitchhiking students. He had previously killed his grandparents as a juvenile in 1964.
At a glance
- What happened
- Kemper killed eight victims in Santa Cruz County, including students, his mother, and her friend. His crimes involved dismemberment and necrophilia. One victim was 15 years old. The eight first-degree murder convictions concern the 1972–1973 series; the earlier deaths of his grandparents were a separate juvenile case.
- When
- 1964: grandparents killed. May 1972–April 1973: eight further killings. 1973: convictions. July 2024: parole denied.
- Where
- Santa Cruz County, California. A July 2024 parole hearing took place at California Medical Facility in Vacaville.
- Why / motive
- The cited report describes sexual abuse of corpses and violence against his mother, but does not establish one definitive motive for every killing.
- Outcome
- Kemper received life sentences. Lookout Santa Cruz reported that parole was denied in July 2024; that dated decision is the latest verified parole event included here.
Who is involved
- Edmund Kemper — subject
Sources
- Lookout Santa Cruz — Kemper denied parole, July 2024“Kemper was convicted of murdering eight women and girls while living in Santa Cruz County in the 1970s.”
- Lookout Santa Cruz — Kemper crimes and parole hearing“Kemper murdered seven women and a 15-year-old girl”
- Lookout Santa Cruz — documented crime details“Most of his murders involved corpse mutilation, decapitation and necrophilia.”
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