Forretningsmand, FBI-informant og firedobbelt morder
Who Is Scott Kimball?
Scott Lee Kimball is an American serial killer who committed at least four murders in the state of Colorado and surrounding areas in the early 2000s. What makes the Kimball case particularly remarkable is not only the brutality of the crimes, but the fact that he operated for a period as a registered FBI informant — a role he allegedly exploited to sidestep suspicion and move freely while investigators searched for the missing victims.
For years, Kimball managed to present himself as a respectable citizen. He was married, ran businesses, and portrayed himself as a well-connected, successful man. Beneath the surface, he systematically manipulated the people closest to him and eliminated anyone he considered a threat to his facade or his interests.
Første mord begås
Vickie Montoya forsvinder — det første af mindst fire mord, Kimball siden tilstår at have begået.
Jennifer Marcum og Terry Kimball forsvinder
I løbet af 2003 forsvinder både Kimballs kæreste Jennifer Marcum og hans stedfar Terry Kimball. Politiet begynder at registrere mønstret.
LeAnn Emry forsvinder
Kimballs niece LeAnn Emry meldes savnet. Hun bekræftes senere som det fjerde offer.
Kimball anholdes for bedrageri
Myndighederne anholdt Kimball for bedragerisager, hvilket åbner for nærmere granskning af forsvindingerne i hans omgangskreds.
Efterforskning af mord intensiveres
Detektiver fra Colorado og Wyoming kobler de separate forsvindingssager og retter søgelyset mod Kimball som primær mistænkt.
Kimball erkender sig skyldig
Scott Kimball erklærer sig skyldig i fire mord ved retten i Colorado efter forhandlinger med anklagemyndigheden.
Dom: 70 års fængsel
Retten idømmer Kimball 70 års fængsel. Han vil i praksis aldrig blive løsladt.
The Victims — Family Members and Acquaintances
The four confirmed victims in the case all had a direct connection to Kimball, either through family ties or personal acquaintance:
- Vickie Montoya — a woman in Kimball's social circle whose disappearance went unsolved for a long time.
- Terry Kimball — Scott's stepfather, who disappeared in 2003. The murder reflects Kimball's willingness to kill even within his immediate family.
- Jennifer Marcum — a young woman with whom Kimball had a relationship. She disappeared in 2003 and was never found alive.
- LeAnn Emry — Kimball's niece, who likewise disappeared and was subsequently confirmed as a victim.
A recurring pattern throughout the case is that Kimball made his victims vanish without leaving a trace. The bodies were buried in remote locations across Colorado and Wyoming, and it took years of investigation — along with Kimball's own confessions — to locate them.
The FBI Informant Who Murdered
One of the most controversial dimensions of the case is Kimball's role as an FBI informant. He was recruited as a source in connection with investigations and used that status to build credibility with authorities. Critics have since asked whether the 's collaboration with Kimball inadvertently provided him with protection or room to operate during the period in which the murders took place.