Edmund Emil Kemper III, widely known as the Co-Ed Killer, is still alive and serving multiple life sentences inside the state prison system. Decades after his terrifying string of murders across California in the early 1970s, he remains locked away, rarely making headlines except when another parole hearing comes and goes. Public interest in his case surged again following his depiction in the Netflix drama Mindhunter, leaving many to wonder about his current daily life, health, and whether he will ever taste freedom.
He is currently housed at the California Medical Facility (CMF) in Vacaville, a medium-to-maximum-security institution equipped to handle inmates with complex medical and psychiatric needs. Over the years, Kemper has aged significantly, dealing with severe health issues including diabetes, coronary heart disease, and the lingering effects of an older stroke. Despite his notorious crimes and multiple parole rejections—most recently denied for another seven-year cycle—his day-to-day existence inside prison looks vastly different from the violent chaos of his youth.
The Crimes That Put Him Behind Bars
To understand Kemper's current situation, it helps to look briefly at what he did. Standing six feet nine inches tall with an IQ measured at an extraordinary level, Kemper began his pattern of violence at a young age. In August 1964, when he was just 15 years old, he shot and killed his paternal grandparents at their home in Montana. He called the police afterward to report what he did, explaining that he just wanted to "see what it felt like to kill Grandma."
He spent several years in a psychiatric hospital before being released as a seemingly rehabilitated young adult in 1969. That freedom ended tragically between 1972 and 1973, when he murdered six female college hitchhikers, his mother, and his mother's friend. After turning himself into authorities in April 1973, he confessed fully to all eight murders. A jury rejected his insanity plea, finding him legally sane and sentencing him to eight concurrent life terms.
Daily Life Inside the California Medical Facility
Upon entering the prison system, Kemper quickly adapted to institutional routines. Corrections officials noted that he kept a low profile and avoided the violent clashes common among maximum-security inmates.
- The Audiobook Project: For years, Kemper spent countless hours volunteering in a prison program that recorded audiobooks for the blind and visually impaired. He reportedly narrated hundreds of books, utilizing his deep, clear voice.
- Health Decline and Mobility: Advancing age has taken a heavy toll on his once-towering frame. Due to diabetes, neuropathy, a past stroke, and heart issues, he relies heavily on a wheelchair and requires specialized medical care within the CMF facility.
- Disciplinary Record: While he spent decades acting as a model prisoner, his record isn't spotless. Parole boards noted a behavioral infraction when he grabbed a staff member, which factored into subsequent risk assessments.
Parole Hearings and the Likelihood of Release
Kemper became eligible for parole under the laws of his sentencing era, facing his first suitability hearing decades ago. However, the Board of Parole Hearings has consistently denied his release.
Psychological evaluations continue to classify him as a high risk to reoffend if introduced back into society. State officials point to the sheer brutality and calculated nature of his crimes, alongside ongoing concerns regarding public safety. During a hearing cycle, the board denied him parole for another seven years. Because of this timeline, he will not face another parole board review until deep into the next decade. Given his advanced age and health problems, it is a statistical certainty that Kemper will spend the remainder of his life behind bars.
For more details on California's correctional system and inmate tracking, you can check the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation website. Historical details on his trial and psychological profile are also cataloged in resources provided by the Library of Congress.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ed Kemper still alive?
Yes, Ed Kemper is still alive. He resides at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville.
Why hasn't Ed Kemper been executed?
When Kemper was convicted in 1973, California was operating under a temporary suspension of capital punishment following a state supreme court ruling. Consequently, he received concurrent life sentences instead of the death penalty.
What medical conditions does Ed Kemper have?
He suffers from severe diabetes, coronary heart disease, mobility challenges due to neuropathy, and the lasting physical impacts of a stroke he suffered years ago.
When is Ed Kemper's next parole hearing?
Following his parole denial, his next scheduled suitability hearing is set for 2031.
