The Making of a Serial Killer | Documentary

"It was an urge. ... A strong urge, and the longer I let it go the stronger it got, to where I was taking risks to go out and kill people risks that normally, according to my little rules of operation, I wouldn't take because they could lead to arrest." —Edmund Kemper.

Where does this urge come from, and why is so powerful? If we all experienced this urge, would we be able to resist? Is it genetic, hormonal, biological, or cultural conditioning? Do serial killers have any control over their desires?

We all experience rage and inappropriate sexual instincts, yet we have some sort of internal cage that keeps our inner monsters locked up. Call it morality or social programming, these internal blockades have long since been trampled down in the psychopathic killer. Not only have they let loose the monster within, they are virtual slaves to its beastly appetites. What sets them apart?

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[skd]

You...yes, you...ad skipper. Hit the hitchhike button to make it count. :)

[BulkernatorKerb]

Really REALLY love the lack of music. Makes it feel much more educational instead of forced creepiness. Brilliant scriptwriting as usual

[meltingmischief]

No matter how many times I see him I am always surprised at how tall Kemper really was. His height had to add to the fear of his victims because he loomed over them so much. I can’t imagine how terrifying it would have been to have him attack a petite person

[gabe-poyi]

Elizabeth Wettlaufer, the Canadian serial killer nurse, provided some insight into how the compulsion to kill works and why she didn’t stop of her own accord. She said she would start feeling a high level of anxiety, tension and stress (which only killing would relieve) and the more she tried to fight it, the worse the anxiety got until it reached an intolerable level and all she could think about was killing to gain stasis. She would kill and, afterward, feel tremendous relief and release. The tension would eventually build again, she’d kill again - a vicious circle. I saw an interview of Ted Bundy’s younger male cousin to whom he was close and the boy usually spent part of his summers with Ted. He said one day, well before he was supposed to return home, he saw something overcome Ted, a far off look in his eyes, like he was in another world mentally. He abruptly told the boy he had to leave and promptly drove him to the bus station. He believes it was Ted experiencing the compulsion to kill. A long-term former girlfriend related that she and Bundy had gone rafting as they’d done many times, when he suddenly pushed her overboard and started drowning her when she tried to get back on the raft. She began screaming his name and struggling and there was a look in his eyes she’d never seen before. (I can’t recall how she described it, if it was a look of anger, a blank look, eyes turned black, or what exactly.). He finally stopped and let her crawl back onto the raft. It seems a lot of serial killers are overcome periodically with the single, resolute ‘mission’ to kill. I picture it like a lion when it spots prey and becomes laser-focused on the kill.

[ProjectEnglishII]

Thank you for pointing out the many myths surrounding serial killers. I have adopted and foster kids and one of their grandmothers was not happy because she'd heard about foster parents being stabbed by a foster child. Unfortunately, the media makes this out to be a common occurrence which is bad for these children.

[Juliett-wetc]

Amazing case study!! I was really glued to this one because of the approach that was taken when discussing subjects like psychopthy and frontal lobe trauma. This had a scientific approach and not an emotional approach and that made this video far more legitimately educational instead of just fear mongering for Entertainment. Very very well done.

[cindyrhodes]

This documentary is brilliantly done. Thank you. Going to share it asap!

[NOFX]

You have now created the best actuation of a serial killer profile. Great job

[jhatcher]

Once again SKD you've gone above & beyond in providing another truly outstanding video! Your content never fails & I thank you so much for the time & effort you put into your channel. Cheers 🇨🇦

[ScarVen]

Wow. This may be the best one yet Doc!

[petej.]

Gacy as a clwn was evil in, itself..if you look at the makeup..the sharp edges of the design is not clown like..clown faces are soft with soft curved features..Gacys clown face was pure evil..was said hed dress up as the clown to commit the act of murder..how terrifying would that have been

[sirvilhelmofyonderland]

Serial killers aren’t just people capable of murder. We are all capable of killing a person, given the right circumstances. Serial killers are DRIVEN to kill. Hunting, planning, killing, cleaning, disposing . It takes a lot of time and effort.

[kermitdfonzz]

Got me feeling all kinds of feelings tonight, Doc. This episode hit different tonight.

[Ms.HarmonyJ]

Hey, skd not doing well mentally but I'm just popping up to show my love and postive vibes to you much love my friend ❤❤

[jansteyaert]

Serial killers have been around since humans existed. The only difference between now and then is the advances in forensic science and psychology. We've gotten better at catching them before they go on a real killing spree.

[Thorazinedreams]

You’ve covered a lot of lesser known cases over the years. You’ve definitely paid your dues discussing the nuances between these killers. It’s very difficult to paint in broad strokes the way you have here while still having something new to say, well done

[potatopirate]

Jesus, hearing Dahmer's dad describe his mother's completely natural and uncontrollable hypermesis gravidarum and refer to her suffering as "hysteria" and "psychosomatic illness" makes me think he was clearly FAR more of a problematic influence than he realized. Sheesh. All the analytical prowess and not a mirror in sight.
Edit- yeah, I spoke too soon. It got worse. A lot worse. Dude was grasping at every single straw.

[Ms_eLLE]

Great doco! The insight to what a serial killer's mind is like and what some of the psychology and physiology behind it is fascinating. It's terrifying to know that you could be working with, dating, married to, living with a person who has or is about to commit such atrocities. Personally, I find Ed Kemper the absolute most terrifying of all of the famous SKs. It's not his imposing stature, but his imposing IQ. Hearing him speak is a total mind fnck. Eloquent and thoughtful yet so twisted.
PS, I absolutely love the outro! I get a kick out of it every time along with the music.

[benstephenson]

Hamlet wasn't unnaturally interested in his mother's sexuality, he was rightly concerned that she had married her husband's (Hamlet's father), murderer! Add to that the fact that his step-father (and uncle) had committed the mortal sin of regicide via a brutal chemical attack and ursurped the throne by marrying the queen (Hamlet's mother). It's very reasonable he was worried about his mum.

[Spitfirephotographs]

So far absolutely amazing coverage SKD 🇨🇦⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️