Cynthia Ann 'Cindy' Schall, a 19-year-old student from Santa Cruz, California, tragically lost her life on January 8, 1973. Cindy was a student at Cabrillo College, where she was pursuing her dreams of becoming either a teacher or a policewoman. On the evening of her death, she was hitchhiking along Mission Avenue in Santa Cruz, heading to her class.
Unfortunately, she encountered Edmund Kemper, a notorious serial killer known as the 'Co-Ed Killer.'
Kemper, who had a history of violent crimes, picked up Cindy and drove her to a secluded area in the hills near Watsonville. There, he forced her into the trunk of his car and shot her in the head with a newly acquired gun, killing her instantly. Cindy's body was later dismembered, and parts of her remains were disposed of in various locations. Her disappearance was reported by a friend when she failed to return home that night, prompting an investigation by the local authorities.
Edmund Kemper was eventually apprehended and confessed to the murders of several young women, including Cindy Schall. His arrest and subsequent trial garnered significant media attention due to the gruesome nature of his crimes. Kemper was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. He remains incarcerated to this day, serving his sentence for the brutal murders he committed.
Cindy's death, along with the deaths of other victims, highlighted the dangers faced by young women in the area during that time. The case also brought attention to the issue of hitchhiking and the potential risks associated with it. Cindy's family and friends were left devastated by her untimely death, and her memory continues to be honored by those who knew and loved her.
