34 Facts About Todd Kohlhepp

Early Life and Troubled Childhood

Todd Kohlhepp's early years were marked by instability and troubling behavior. Understanding his background provides insight into the making of a serial killer.

1. Early Life: Todd Christopher Sampsell was born on March 7, 1971, in Florida. His parents divorced when he was just two years old, and his mother remarried the following year.

2. Family Dynamics: Kohlhepp had a strained relationship with his stepfather and often expressed a desire to live with his biological father, whom he had not seen for eight years.

3. Troublesome Child: From a young age, Kohlhepp was known to be aggressive toward other children and would destroy their property in nursery school.

4. Psychological Issues: At nine, Kohlhepp began counseling and was described as "explosive" and "preoccupied with sexual content."

5. Cruelty to Animals: He displayed early signs of cruelty by shooting a dog with a BB gun and killing a goldfish using Clorox bleach.

6. Psychiatric Hospitalization: Due to his inability to get along with other children, Kohlhepp spent three and a half months in a Georgia psychiatric hospital as an inpatient.

Move to Arizona and Escalation

Kohlhepp's move to Arizona to live with his biological father marked a significant turn in his life, leading to more troubling behavior.

7. Move to Arizona: In 1983, Kohlhepp was sent to live with his biological father in Arizona after his mother and stepfather separated.

8. Inheritance of Hobbies: He inherited his father's hobby of collecting weapons and was taught to "blow things up and make bombs."

9. Strained Relationship: Despite bonding over shared interests, Kohlhepp's relationship with his father deteriorated due to his father's frequent absences with multiple girlfriends.

10. Desire to Return Home: Kohlhepp repeatedly expressed a desire to return to his mother, though she reportedly made excuses to extend his stay in Arizona.

The 1986 Kidnapping and Its Aftermath

Kohlhepp's criminal behavior escalated dramatically with a kidnapping and rape in 1986, leading to his first major run-in with the law.

11. 1986 Kidnapping Conviction: On November 25, 1986, 15-year-old Kohlhepp kidnapped 14-year-old Kristie Granado in Tempe, Arizona. He threatened her with a .22-caliber revolver, brought her back to his home, tied her up, taped her mouth shut, and raped her. Afterwards, he walked her home and threatened to kill her entire family if she told anyone.

12. Guilty Plea: In 1987, Kohlhepp pleaded guilty to the kidnapping charge, and the other charges were dropped. He was sentenced to fifteen years in prison and registered as a sex offender.

13. Diagnosis: Kohlhepp was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and noted to have an above-average IQ of 118.

14. Behavioral Assessment: The judge described Kohlhepp as "very bright and should be advanced academically," but "behaviorally and emotionally dangerous" and likely could not be rehabilitated.

15. Probation Officer's Description: His probation officer wrote that Kohlhepp "felt the world owed him something."

16. Attorney's Belief: Kohlhepp's attorney did not believe his client would go on to harm others in the future.

Life After Prison

After serving time for the kidnapping, Kohlhepp attempted to rebuild his life, but his dark tendencies resurfaced.

17. Imprisonment Behavior: Initially cited for violations, Kohlhepp had no records of disobedience after turning twenty.

18. Release from Prison: In August 2001, Kohlhepp was released from prison after serving fourteen years and moved to South Carolina, where his mother was living.

19. Education During Imprisonment: During his imprisonment, Kohlhepp attended and graduated from Central Arizona College with a bachelor's degree.

20. Move to South Carolina: After his release, Kohlhepp moved to South Carolina and began working as a real estate agent.

21. Registered Sex Offender: Kohlhepp was a registered sex offender, requiring him to regularly update his address and inform law enforcement of any changes.

The Real Estate Agent with a Dark Secret

Kohlhepp managed to build a successful career as a real estate agent, all while hiding his sinister activities.

22. Real Estate Career: Despite his past, Kohlhepp built a successful career as a real estate agent in South Carolina, earning a reputation as a trustworthy and professional businessman.

23. 2003 Murders at Superbike Motorsports: On November 6, 2003, Kohlhepp shot and killed four people at the Superbike Motorsports shop in Chesnee, South Carolina. The victims included Scott Ponder, the owner of the shop; his mother, Beverly Guy; service manager Brian Lucas; and employee Chris Sherbert. These murders remained unsolved until Kohlhepp's confession in 2017.

The Discovery and Arrest

Kohlhepp's double life unraveled in 2016 when investigators discovered a missing woman on his property, leading to his arrest and shocking confessions.

24. Confession and Arrest: On November 3, 2016, investigators from the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office found a missing woman, Kala Brown, being held captive on Kohlhepp’s property. This led to his arrest and subsequent confession to the 2003 murders and other crimes.

25. Kidnapping and Rape of Kala Brown: During her captivity, Kohlhepp bound and gagged Brown, keeping her chained in a shipping container for two months and raping her daily. He also shot her boyfriend, Charles Carver, in front of her before trapping her in the container.

26. Discovery of Additional Victims: After Brown was discovered, investigators found three more bodies on Kohlhepp’s property: Johnny Joe Coxie, 29, and his wife Meagan Leigh McCraw Coxie, 25. The Coxies had been reported missing in December 2015.

Legal Proceedings and Sentencing

Kohlhepp's arrest led to a series of legal proceedings, culminating in a plea deal that spared him the death penalty.

27. Plea Deal: In a plea deal reached with prosecutors, Kohlhepp avoided the death penalty and instead received seven consecutive life sentences, plus 30 years for the sexual assault charge and 30 years for kidnapping.

28. Sentencing: Kohlhepp was sentenced in court as part of the plea deal, which included lengthy prison terms for his various crimes.

Claims of Additional Victims and Psychological Evaluation

Even after his sentencing, Kohlhepp continued to make chilling claims about additional victims, while his psychological profile provided further insight into his disturbed mind.

29. Claims of Additional Victims: In an 8-page letter dated November 28, 2017, Kohlhepp claimed there were more bodies waiting to be found, but he refused to provide any details or locations.

30. Psychological Evaluation: During his psychiatric evaluation prior to sentencing, Kohlhepp was found to have an above-average IQ and was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. This diagnosis was consistent with his history of intense mood swings, impulsive behaviors, and severe problems with self-worth.

Impact on Victims and Public Reaction

The aftermath of Kohlhepp's crimes left a lasting impact on his victims and their families, while the public grappled with the shocking revelations.

31. Behavioral Patterns: Kohlhepp's behavior as a youth and during his adult life was marked by aggression, cruelty, and a lack of empathy. He was described as "explosive" and "preoccupied with sexual content" from an early age.

32. Impact on Victims: The victims of Kohlhepp’s crimes suffered unimaginable trauma and pain. Kala Brown, for example, was held captive for months and subjected to daily rapes. The families of the victims at the Superbike Motorsports shop also experienced profound loss and grief.

33. Public Reaction: The case of Todd Kohlhepp sparked widespread shock and outrage. His ability to lead a seemingly normal life as a real estate agent while committing such heinous crimes raised questions about the effectiveness of sex offender registries and the ability to rehabilitate individuals with severe psychological disorders.

34. Legacy and Media Representation: Kohlhepp’s case has been featured in several media outlets, including Investigation Discovery’s limited series "Serial Killer: The Devil Unchained." His story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of untreated mental health issues and the importance of addressing childhood trauma.

The Chilling Legacy of Todd Kohlhepp

Todd Kohlhepp's story is a haunting reminder of how untreated psychological issues can spiral into unimaginable horrors. From his troubled childhood marked by aggression and cruelty to his heinous crimes as an adult, Kohlhepp's life paints a grim picture of unchecked mental health problems. His ability to lead a seemingly normal life as a successful real estate agent while committing such brutal acts shocked the nation. The discovery of his crimes, including the murders at Superbike Motorsports and the captivity of Kala Brown, left a lasting impact on the victims' families and the public. Kohlhepp's case underscores the importance of addressing childhood trauma and providing comprehensive mental health services. Though his confession and sentencing brought some justice, the scars of his actions will forever remain. His story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers lurking beneath the surface of seemingly ordinary lives.