Edmund Kemper: Co-ed Butcher

Edmund Kemper: Co-ed Butcher examines the chilling story of one of America’s most notorious serial killers. It chronicles the life and crimes of Edmund Kemper, a towering figure at 6 feet 9 inches tall, who terrorized Santa Cruz, California in the early 1970s.

The film recounts Kemper’s troubled childhood, marked by a difficult relationship with his mother and early signs of violent behavior. It details his first murders at age 15, when he killed his grandparents, leading to his institutionalization in a mental hospital. Upon release, Kemper embarked on a killing spree that claimed the lives of six young women, earning him the moniker “Co-ed Butcher.”

Through interviews with law enforcement officers and mental health professionals, the documentary provides insight into Kemper’s psychology and modus operandi. It reveals how he used his size and intelligence to lure victims, often picking up hitchhikers near college campuses. The film also explores Kemper’s bizarre post-mortem rituals and his efforts to evade detection, including his habit of frequenting a local bar popular with police officers.

The documentary culminates with Kemper’s final acts of violence against his mother and her friend, followed by his surprising surrender and confession. It paints a disturbing portrait of a killer who combined high intelligence with severe mental disturbance, leaving a trail of tragedy in his wake.