Todd Kohlhepp, a seemingly successful South Carolina real estate businessman, masked a sinister secret: he was a serial killer who brutally murdered seven people over a 13-year period. His crimes, which culminated in his arrest in 2016, were marked by a chilling arrogance that extended to leaving incriminating reviews on Amazon for the very tools he used in his heinous acts. A new Channel 4 documentary, “The Amazon Review Killer: Chilling Confession,” delves into Kohlhepp’s disturbing psyche and the trail of evidence that ultimately led to his capture.
Kohlhepp’s Amazon reviews, posted under the username “me,” were a macabre blend of dark humor and chilling foreshadowing. He commented on items like knives, chainsaws, and padlocks, making veiled references to hiding bodies and inflicting violence. These reviews, initially dismissed as morbid jokes, became key pieces of evidence against him, revealing a disturbed mind that relished the thought of inflicting harm. His online persona contrasted sharply with his public image as a respected businessman and community contributor, creating a jarring dichotomy between the man he presented to the world and the monster he truly was.
Kohlhepp’s disturbing behavior extended beyond his online presence. Colleagues noted his inappropriate workplace conduct, including watching pornography and making unsettling jokes. He also openly discussed his prior conviction for a sex offense, a chilling precursor to the violent acts he would later commit. These warning signs, though disturbing, were largely ignored or dismissed until the full extent of his depravity was revealed. The documentary explores Kohlhepp’s troubled childhood and early signs of mental health issues, painting a picture of a deeply disturbed individual whose violent tendencies escalated over time. At the age of 15, he kidnapped and sexually assaulted a young girl, a crime that foreshadowed the brutality he would later inflict on his adult victims.
The turning point in the investigation came in 2016 when Kala Brown, a woman who had been missing for two months, was discovered chained inside a shipping container on Kohlhepp’s property. Brown’s harrowing account of captivity and repeated rape, coupled with the discovery of her boyfriend’s body on the property, exposed Kohlhepp’s reign of terror. Further investigation unearthed the remains of two more victims, a married couple who had disappeared the previous year. Kohlhepp subsequently confessed to the murders of four people at a motorcycle shop in 2003, a cold case that had baffled investigators for years.
The discovery of Kala Brown and the subsequent unearthing of more bodies on Kohlhepp’s property brought closure to several families who had long sought answers about the disappearances of their loved ones. The courtroom scenes during Kohlhepp’s sentencing were filled with raw emotion as victims’ families confronted the man who had shattered their lives. Kohlhepp, however, remained impassive, showing no remorse for his heinous acts. He received seven consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, ensuring that he would spend the rest of his days behind bars.
Even after his conviction, Kohlhepp continued to taunt authorities, claiming in a letter to a local newspaper that he had killed more people than he had confessed to. Despite extensive searches, no further victims were found. The documentary concludes by highlighting the chilling nature of Kohlhepp’s crimes and the ease with which he concealed his true nature. It serves as a stark reminder of the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of seemingly ordinary individuals and the importance of recognizing and addressing warning signs of potential violence. The film also pays tribute to the resilience of the survivors and the families of the victims who continue to grapple with the devastating impact of Kohlhepp’s actions.
