When people think of the "Co-Ed Killer," they usually picture the towering, 6'9" figure from the 1970s—the man with the thick glasses and the terrifyingly calm demeanor who became a staple of true crime documentaries and the Netflix hit Mindhunter. But time doesn't stop, even for the most notorious figures in criminal history. So, let’s get straight to the point: how old is Ed Kemper right now?
As of today, January 16, 2026, Edmund Kemper is 77 years old.
He’ll hit the big 78 later this year on December 18. It’s a bit jarring to think about, honestly. Most of the archival footage we see shows a man in his mid-20s, full of dark energy and a disturbing level of articulateness. Now, he’s an elderly inmate who has spent more than half a century behind bars.
Life Inside the California Medical Facility
Kemper isn't just sitting in a standard jail cell. For decades, he’s been held at the California Medical Facility (CMF) in Vacaville. It's a place that handles older inmates and those with significant health issues. If you’ve been following the recent updates from 2024 and 2025, you know the "Giant" isn't so giant anymore.
Recent reports from parole hearings paint a pretty grim picture of his current state. He’s basically confined to a wheelchair now. He’s suffered from various age-related ailments, and word is he’s been dealing with complications from a stroke he had a few years back. He’s also reported to be incontinent. It’s a far cry from the man who used to lift heavy weights and haunt the streets of Santa Cruz.
In July 2024, Kemper was up for parole again. He didn't even show up. He chose to stay in his cell, likely because his health is so poor that the trek to the hearing room was too much—or maybe he just didn't care. The board denied him, obviously. They cited his lack of remorse and a 2022 incident where he allegedly acted inappropriately toward prison staff.
Why the Public is Still Obsessed
It's weird, right? Why are we still asking about the age and health of a guy who did such horrific things in 1973?
Part of it is the "Mindhunter effect." Cameron Britton’s portrayal of Kemper was so spot-on that it reignited interest in the real man’s psyche. People want to know if that genius-level IQ (reportedly around 145) is still sharp or if age has dulled the very thing that made him so dangerous.
The truth is, Kemper has always been "happy" in prison. His own lawyers have said he feels he belongs there. He famously once told a judge that he should be tortured to death for his crimes, and when that wasn't an option, he settled into prison life by becoming a model prisoner for a long time. He even narrated hundreds of hours of audiobooks for the blind.
- He voiced over 5,000 hours of books.
- He was the head of the "Blind Project" in the prison.
- He’s been eligible for parole many times but often waives the right to appear.
The Reality of Aging in the System
When we talk about how old Ed Kemper is, we’re also talking about the reality of the American penal system dealing with "lifers." Kemper has been incarcerated since April 1973. That is 53 years of the state of California paying for his housing, food, and—increasingly—his medical care.
Experts like Emerson Murray, who wrote Murder Capital of the World, have noted that Kemper remains a "high risk" despite his age. Even if he can't physically hurt anyone the way he used to, the darkness of his past crimes (killing his grandparents as a teen, then the string of co-eds, and finally his mother) makes him a permanent fixture of the maximum-security world.
Honestly, he’s likely going to die in Vacaville.
There is no "rehabilitation" for someone with his specific psychological profile. He’s been diagnosed over the years with everything from paranoid schizophrenia (later retracted) to various personality disorders. At 77, he is a living relic of a terrifying era in California history.
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What This Means for True Crime Followers
If you’re looking for a "redemption" arc, you won’t find it here. Kemper’s age is just a number that tracks the passage of time since the families of his victims last saw their loved ones. While some people find his articulateness in old interviews fascinating, it's important to remember the reality of his victims.
Actionable Takeaway: Where to Find Real Info
If you want to look deeper than just his age, here are the most reliable ways to track the status of high-profile inmates like Kemper:
- CDCR Inmate Locator: The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has a public portal. You can search for "Edmund Emil Kemper III" (Inmate B58132) to see his current location and status.
- Parole Board Transcripts: These are often public record. Reading the 2024 denial provides a much more visceral look at his current mental state than any documentary can.
- Local News (Santa Cruz/Vacaville): Outlets like Lookout Santa Cruz often have the best boots-on-the-ground reporting when he has a hearing.
Kemper’s story is nearing its final chapter. At nearly 78, the man who once claimed to be a "hunter" is now just another elderly patient in a high-security medical ward.
To get the most accurate picture of his legal standing, you should check the official CDCR records for any changes in his housing or health status, as these are updated more frequently than news cycles.