Todd Christopher Kohlhepp, born Todd Christopher Sampsell on March 7, 1971, is an American convicted serial killer, mass shooter, and sex offender. Between 2003 and 2016, he murdered seven people in South Carolina. In addition to his murders, Kohlhepp kidnapped and raped his victims, boasting claims of more killings. His criminal activities and eventual capture have shocked and fascinated the public, contributing to ongoing discussions about the nature of evil and the capabilities of the criminal justice system to apprehend such individuals.
Early Life and First Conviction
Kohlhepp was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and grew up in South Carolina and Georgia. His early life was tumultuous, marked by his parents’ divorce when he was two and a problematic relationship with his stepfather. Described as aggressive and troubled from a young age, Kohlhepp exhibited signs of concerning behavior, including cruelty towards animals and a preoccupation with sexual content.
His criminal behavior escalated quickly, leading to his first conviction at the age of 15. In 1986, he kidnapped and sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl in Arizona. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison and registered as a sex offender. Despite a prison sentence and warnings about his dangerous behavior, Kohlhepp was released and managed to integrate into society to some extent, obtaining a college degree and starting a career in real estate.
Career as a Realtor and Life After Prison
Upon his release from prison, Kohlhepp moved to South Carolina, where he pursued higher education and eventually became a successful realtor. Despite being a registered sex offender, he was able to obtain a real estate license and even owned a firm with a dozen agents under his employ. Kohlhepp also pursued personal interests, including obtaining a private pilot license and acquiring significant land.
The Murders and Kidnapping
Kohlhepp’s violent tendencies reemerged, leading to the murder of four individuals at Superbike Motorsports in Chesnee in 2003, an act that remained unsolved until his confession in 2016. He continued his spree, culminating in the kidnapping of Kala Brown and the murder of Charles David Carver in 2016. Brown was found chained inside a storage container on Kohlhepp’s property, leading to his arrest and the unraveling of his crimes.
Arrest, Confession, and Conviction
Following his capture, Kohlhepp confessed to the Superbike Motorsports murders and other killings, revealing a depth of criminal activity that shocked law enforcement and the public. In 2017, he pleaded guilty to seven counts of murder, two counts of kidnapping, and one count of sexual assault, receiving seven consecutive life sentences without parole.
| Name | Sex | Age | Date of murder/disappearance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kristie Granado (survived) | F | 14 | November 12, 1986 |
| Scott Ponder | M | 30 | November 6, 2003 |
| Brian Lucas | M | 29 | November 6, 2003 |
| Chris Sherbert | M | 26 | November 6, 2003 |
| Beverly Guy | F | 52 | November 6, 2003 |
| Johnny Joe Coxie | M | 29 | December 19, 2015 |
| Meagan Leigh McCraw-Coxie | F | 26 | December 25 or 26, 2015 |
| Kala Brown (survived) | F | 30 | August 31, 2016 |
| Charles David Carver | M | 32 | August 31, 2016 |
Legacy and Continued Speculation
Even after his conviction, Kohlhepp hinted at more undiscovered victims, a claim that remains part of his complex and disturbing legacy. His case has raised questions about the efficacy of the criminal justice system, the nature of rehabilitation, and the depths of human depravity. As of now, Todd Kohlhepp remains a figure of intense scrutiny, and his story is a chilling reminder of the capacity for evil within.
