"I want to see how together I am if I can resist this temptation, and they get in my car. They want to go one way. I know they need to go to the other. If they go the way they're insisting on, we're headed right back off to where the first two co-eds were murdered, and I'm saying to myself, 'Oh my God, all I got to do is relax, and they'll take me to their death.'" — Ed Kemper (as quoted by host)
"He's known as a model prisoner, and while the fascination with his terrible crimes continues, Ed Kemper remains behind bars where he belongs, and where he'll stay for the rest of his life." — Host
"We then have another homicidal maniac on our hands." — District Attorney (as quoted by host)
This episode delves into the life of Edmund Kemper III, a serial killer whose crimes shocked the nation. It begins with his confession to murdering his grandparents at age 15, detailing his chillingly calm demeanor and motives stemming from anger and a desire to experience taking a life. Kemper's subsequent placement in a maximum-security mental institution, where his near-genius intellect allowed him to manipulate diagnoses and evaluations, ultimately led to his early release on parole.
Upon release, Kemper lived with his mother in Santa Cruz, a city that was simultaneously experiencing a surge in unsolved murders and disappearances. The episode meticulously traces the timeline of these terrifying events, contrasting the methods of Kemper with those of another apprehended suspect, Herb Mullin. It becomes clear that there are distinct patterns, suggesting the presence of at least two serial killers operating in the area, leading to widespread fear and confusion among law enforcement and the public.
The narrative culminates with Kemper's own confession to the Santa Cruz murders, including the brutal killing of his mother and her friend, and his claims of being responsible for the disappearances of numerous hitchhiking students. The episode highlights how Kemper, a former patient who was never a suspect, studied law enforcement's methods to remain undetected. His case is presented as a pivotal moment in the development of criminal profiling, as his interviews with FBI agents John Douglas and Robert Ressler significantly influenced the understanding of modern serial killers and their psychological makeup.