The Victims of Todd Kohlhepp

Altemio Sanchez

Date:

1986 – November 3, 2016

Crime:

Rape, Kidnapping & Murder

Location:

Spartanburg County, South Carolina

Age:

45 when apprehended

Occupation:
Real Estate Agent

Todd Kohlhepp was born in Florida on March 7, 1971. By the age of 15, he had already committed his first crime, when he was convicted of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. He served 15 years in prison for that crime.

In November 2016, Kohlhepp was arrested in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, after authorities discovered a woman, Kala Brown, chained up in a shipping container on his property. Brown told investigators that she and her boyfriend, Charles David Carver, had been kidnapped by Kohlhepp. Carver's remains were later found on the property, and Kohlhepp eventually confessed to killing a total of seven people in the Spartanburg and Anderson County areas.

Kohlhepp's crimes shocked and horrified the community. He was known as a successful real estate agent and seemed to lead a normal life. However, as the investigation into his crimes continued, more and more disturbing details emerged about his past and his behavior. In addition to the 1986 kidnapping and sexual assault conviction, authorities discovered that Kohlhepp had a history of angry outbursts and a fascination with guns. He had even threatened to kill people in the past.

At his trial, Kohlhepp pleaded guilty to seven counts of murder, two counts of kidnapping, and various other charges related to his crimes. He was sentenced to seven consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 60 years for other charges. The judge in the case called Kohlhepp "the most prolific serial killer in South Carolina history."

In the aftermath of his arrest and conviction, many people struggled to understand how someone like Kohlhepp could have lived among them for so long without anyone suspecting his true nature. Some have suggested that his successful career and seemingly normal life were a cover for his violent tendencies, while others have pointed to the fact that he received a relatively light sentence for his 1986 conviction as evidence of a flawed justice system. Regardless of the reasons behind his crimes, Kohlhepp's case remains a chilling reminder of the capacity for evil that can exist in even the most ordinary-seeming people.

Victims

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Confidential Name, Age 14
Rape | November 25, 1986
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Scott Ponder
Homicide | November 6, 2003
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Brian Lucas

Homicide | November 6, 2003

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Chris Sherbert
Homicide | November 6, 2003
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Beverly Guy
Homicide | November 6, 2003
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Kala Brown
Kidnapping | August 31, 2016
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Charles David Carver
Homicide | August 31, 2016
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Johnny Joe Coxie
Homicide | December 19, 2015
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Meagan Leigh McCraw-Coxie
Homicide | December 25 or 26, 2015

Court Exhibit Photos

Investigation Files

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Missing Persons Report – Charles David Carver

August 31, 2016
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Missing Persons Report – Kala Brown

August 31, 2016

Lawsuit— Kala Brown v. Todd Kohlhepp

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Summons & Complaint

November 30, 2016
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Amended Amended Summons And Complaint

December 1, 2016
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Motion for Temporary Injunction

December 2, 2016
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Motion for Temporary Injunction

December 2, 2016
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Affidavit Of Service on Todd Kohlhepp

December 13, 2016
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Affidavit Of Service on Regina Tague

December 13, 2016
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Motion for Appointment of Receiver

December 20, 2016
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Affidavit of Service on Todd Kohlhepp

December 21, 2016
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Affidavit Of Service on Regina Tague

December 21, 2016
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Order for Media Coverage

January 3, 2017
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Order for Media Coverage

January 4, 2017
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Order for Media Coverage

January 5, 2017
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Order for Media Coverage

January 5, 2017
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Consent to Appointment of Receiver

January 5, 2017
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Exhibit List

January 6, 2017
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Motion for Default Judgment

January 18, 2017
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Affidavit of Default

January 18, 2017
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Order, Appointment of Receiver

January 25, 2017
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Third Party Answer

January 31, 2017
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Certificate of Service by Mail

January 31, 2017
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Clerk’s Notice of Hearing

February 22, 2017
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Motion to Intervene

March 13, 2017
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Motion to Intervene

March 13, 2017
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Motion to Intervene

March 13, 2017
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Order of Continuance

March 22, 2017
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Motion for Damages

August 4, 2017
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Affidavit of Default

August 4, 2017
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Affidavit of Service on Todd Kohlhepp

September 22, 2017
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Affidavit of Service on Todd Kohlhepp

September 22, 2017
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Affidavit of Service on Regina Tague

September 22, 2017
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Motion for Continuance

October 5, 2017
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Motion to Relieve As Counsel

October 6, 2017
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Certificate of Service

October 6, 2017
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Order of Continuance

October 10, 2017
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Affidavit Of Service on Todd Kohlhepp

November 2, 2017
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Subpoena of Rhonda Cox

February 16, 2018
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Subpoena of Shanna Smith

February 16, 2018
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Subpoena of Monica Check

February 16, 2018
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Affidavit Of Service on Todd Kohlhepp

February 20, 2018
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Order of Inmate Transportation

February 22, 2018
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Request for Electronic Photographic Coverage of Judicial Proceeding

February 22, 2018
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Motion for Continuance

February 28, 2018
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Order of Continuance

March 2, 2018
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Consent Order

March 5, 2018
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Motion for Continuance

March 6, 2018
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Order of Continuance

March 6, 2018
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Return Mail

March 8, 2018
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Order of Inmate Transportation

June 5, 2018
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Affidavit Of Service on Todd Kohlhepp

June 18, 2018
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Request for Electronic Photographic Coverage of Judicial Proceeding

July 2, 2018
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Exhibit List

July 12, 2018
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Motion to Sell Property

July 24, 2018
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Certificate Of Service

July 24, 2018
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Response to Motion to Sell Property

August 1, 2018
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Certificate Of Service

August 3, 2018
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Affidavit Of Service on Todd Kohlhepp

August 13, 2018
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Notice of Hearing and Service

August 14, 2018
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Order Form 4

August 23, 2018
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Consent Order

August 23, 2018
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Order of Judgment of Actual and Punitive Damages

August 23, 2018
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Order to Relieve Counsel

August 28, 2018
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Consent Order

August 31, 2018
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Filing of Death Certificate of Regina Tague

September 11, 2018
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Partial Satisfaction of Judgment

September 18, 2018
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Consent Order

April 4, 2019
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Motion for Distribution

June 25, 2019
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Order Referring Matter Back to Circuit Court

July 10, 2019
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Exhibit List

July 22, 2019
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Order Form 4

July 24, 2019
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Order of Distribution of Assets

August 16, 2019
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Consent Order

January 7, 2022