Edmund Kemper: 7 Shocking Facts About 'The Co-Ed Butcher' And His Current Status (2025)

The name Edmund Kemper, infamous as 'The Co-Ed Butcher,' continues to haunt true crime discussions, even decades after his horrific killing spree in Santa Cruz, California. As of December 2025, the 77-year-old serial killer remains incarcerated, a status recently confirmed by his latest parole hearing denial. The case is a chilling study in psychopathy, notable not just for the sheer brutality of his crimes—which included the murders of his own family members and multiple young women—but also for his unnerving intelligence and towering 6'9" stature. His story has seen a surge in renewed interest thanks to modern media, including the Netflix series *Mindhunter*, which brought his chilling persona back into the public spotlight. This article delves into the essential, updated facts about Kemper's life, his monstrous acts, and his confirmed status today, providing a comprehensive look at one of America's most disturbing serial killers.

The Co-Ed Butcher: Edmund Kemper's Complete Biography and Profile

Edmund Emil Kemper III, known by the terrifying monikers "The Co-Ed Killer" and "The Co-Ed Butcher," is an American serial killer whose crimes spanned the 1960s and 1970s. His life history is marked by extreme psychological trauma and escalating violence, beginning at a young age.

• Full Name: Edmund Emil Kemper III
• Born: December 18, 1948 (He is 77 years old as of December 2025)
• Nicknames: The Co-Ed Killer, The Co-Ed Butcher, Big Ed
• Height: 6'9" (2.06 m)
• Crimes Committed: Ten murders, including patricide, matricide, and the murder of six college students (co-eds). The crimes involved necrophilia, dismemberment, and cannibalism.
• Victim Profile: Primarily young female hitchhikers (co-eds) and close family members.
• Period of Murders: 1964 (Grandparents) and 1972–1973 (Co-eds, Mother, Mother's friend).
• Current Status (2025): Incarcerated, serving 8 concurrent life sentences.
• Incarceration Facility: California Medical Facility (CMF) in Vacaville, California.
• Notable Health Issue: Suffered a stroke in 2015.

The Latest Update: Kemper's Confirmed Status in December 2025

The most critical and recent development in the life of Edmund Kemper is his continued incarceration, a status cemented by his latest appearance before the parole board. Kemper has been eligible for parole since 1979, but he has consistently waived his right to a hearing, often stating he is "still a threat."

However, the state of California mandates periodic reviews. Kemper's last mandatory parole hearing took place on July 9, 2024.

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The outcome was a denial of parole for another seven years. This means that Edmund Kemper will remain behind bars at the California Medical Facility (CMF) in Vacaville, California, until at least 2031. This denial, the 14th time he has qualified for parole, ensures that the Co-Ed Butcher will spend his 77th, 78th, 79th, and subsequent birthdays in prison.

During the 2024 hearing, Kemper's testimony, though infrequent, often focused on his age and health, including the effects of a stroke he suffered in 2015. Despite his physical decline, the board determined that his release would pose an unreasonable risk to public safety due to the nature and brutality of his crimes.

The denial provides a definitive, fresh update for those following the case, confirming that the notorious killer is still confined and poses no immediate threat to the public.

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The 10 Victims: A Timeline of the Co-Ed Butcher's Reign of Terror

Edmund Kemper’s murder spree was split into two distinct periods, separated by nearly a decade. His victims total ten, a grim number that includes his own grandparents and mother. The meticulous planning and subsequent dismemberment of the college students earned him the moniker "The Co-Ed Butcher."

The First Murders (1964)

Kemper's first acts of violence occurred when he was just 15 years old. After a confrontation at his grandparents' ranch, he committed his first two murders:

• Maude M. Hughey Kemper: His paternal grandmother, whom he shot.
• Edmund Emil Kemper Sr.: His paternal grandfather, whom he also shot to cover up the first murder.

Following these murders, Kemper was committed to the Atascadero State Hospital for the criminally insane, where he was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. He was released at age 21 after convincing psychiatrists he was rehabilitated, a decision that would prove catastrophic.

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The Co-Ed Murders (1972–1973)

Kemper's second, more infamous killing spree began in the Santa Cruz area, targeting young female college students who were hitchhiking—a common practice at the time. He often picked up his victims in his truck before taking them to secluded locations.

• Mary Ann Pesce and Anita Luchessa: Two 18-year-old co-eds murdered in May 1972.
• Aiko Koo and Cindy Schall: Two 19-year-old co-eds murdered in January 1973.
• Rosalind Thorpe and Alice Liu: Two 20-year-old co-eds murdered in February 1973.

The details of these murders involved extreme sexual violence, dismemberment, and necrophilia, which are too graphic to fully detail, but they established his gruesome reputation.

The Final Murders (April 1973)

The spree culminated in the murder of the two people closest to him:

• Clarnell Strandberg: Kemper's own mother, whom he murdered and mutilated in her bed.
• Sally Hallett: Clarnell's closest friend, who was visiting the house.

Following these final, horrific acts, Kemper drove across the country and called the police from a phone booth in Pueblo, Colorado, to confess to his crimes, bringing his reign of terror to an end.

The Unnerving Mind of 'Big Ed': Psychological Insights

Edmund Kemper's case is a cornerstone of forensic psychology due to his high intelligence (IQ of 145) and his ability to manipulate psychiatric professionals. His interviews from prison, notably those conducted by FBI profilers John E. Douglas and Robert Ressler (the inspiration for *Mindhunter*), provided invaluable, albeit deeply disturbing, insights into the mind of a psychopathic serial killer.

The 'Co-Ed Killer' and *Mindhunter*

The renewed public fascination with Kemper is largely due to the Netflix series *Mindhunter*, where he is portrayed by actor Cameron Britton. The series accurately depicts Kemper's unnerving calm, his articulate nature, and his detailed recollection of his crimes. He was one of the first killers interviewed by the FBI's Behavioral Science Unit, helping to pioneer the field of criminal profiling. His cooperation was not out of remorse, but from a narcissistic desire to discuss his "work" and gain attention.

The Role of Childhood Trauma

Many experts point to Kemper's severely abusive and demeaning childhood at the hands of his mother, Clarnell Strandberg, as a major contributing factor to his pathology. She often confined him to the basement, viewing him as a monstrous child due to his size and psychological issues. This deep-seated resentment and trauma ultimately manifested in the horrific matricide that concluded his spree.

Edmund Kemper remains a complex and terrifying figure in true crime history. His continued confinement, confirmed in 2025, serves as a permanent reminder of the deep psychological scars left on the Santa Cruz community and the enduring horror of the Co-Ed Butcher's crimes.