English 1301-23 - Killing: Nurture or Nature?

Blake David

Don Carey

English 1301-23

September 1st, 2015

Killing: Nurture or Nature?

Sometimes considered disgusting, cruel, terrible, or unforgivable, serial killers could arguably have a reason for their madness. Beaten as a child, raped, or even for left to die could spark what could soon become disastrous. Some serial killers do it for the fun of it, but for the most part they do it because of a poor childhood and upbringing. This is what some believe to be the reasons for the killings done by The Coed Killer, Edmond Kemper. After his conviction of killing ten people, prosecutors then found the real reason of the horrific murders. Seen as a gentle giant by some, Kemper was all but that.

Kemper was born in Burbank, California, the middle child and only son born to Edmond Kemper Sr. and Clarnell Stage. As a child Kemper was very smart but showed signs of antisocial behavior such as cruelty to animals. At age thirteen, he reportedly stabbed his pet cat multiple times before cutting its head off and placing it on a stick for all of his friends to see. He also made his sisters’ dolls do bizarre sexual rituals after taking off their heads. Kemper was close to his father and was devastated when his parents divorced in 1957. He was then raised by his mother in Helena, Montana. She was a violent alcoholic who publically humiliated and verbally abused him. Kemper ran away from home in 1963 in search of his father in Van Nuys, California. When he found him he then learned that his father was remarried and had another son. Kemper remained with his dad in Van Nuys for a short while until he was sent back to his mother in Montana. His mother, however, was unwilling to let him back in her house with the fear that he would try to rape his little sister. He was then forced to live with his paternal grandparents, Edmond and Maude Kemper, on their 17-acre ranch in North Folk, California. That’s when all the suspicions became reality.

On August 27, 1964, Edmond’s grandmother was sitting at the kitchen table working on her latest children’s book when she and Edmond began arguing. One thing led to another eventually leading to Edmond shooting his grandmother in the head. Then his grandfather returned from the local grocery to a dead wife and his grandson with a gun in his hand and a look in his eye. Edmond then shot his grandfather in the face. When later questioned about the murders he said, “Just wanted to see what it felt like to kill grandma.” He killed his grandfather because he knew that he would be mad for the murder of his wife. Kemper was then admitted to the Atascadero State Hospital where he became a psychologist’s assistant. At the hospital it was found out that 15 year old Edmond had an I.Q. of 136. Upon his release the psychologist said Kemper was well and all of his juvenile records were to be expunged. Once out on his own, Kemper worked a series of jobs but settled working for the State of California’s Department of Public Works/Division of Highways. Once working there he began making friends with the local law enforcement by learning where the cops like to eat, hang out, and drink. The police never knew it was him, The Coed Killer.