CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA – In the early 1990s, Jana Monroe, a member of the FBI’s Behavioral Sciences Unit, received an unexpected phone call from Edmund Kemper, also known as “The Co-Ed Killer.” Despite her usual fearlessness in facing serial killers, this encounter left her shaken. Kemper, who had a terrifyingly monotone voice and an emotionless gaze, had a chilling effect on Monroe.
Monroe, who was the model for Clarice Starling in “The Silence of the Lambs,” recounts her experiences in her recently published memoir, “Hearts of Darkness: Serial Killers, the Behavioral Science Unit, and My Life as a Woman in the FBI.” This book sheds light on her challenges as a woman in the predominantly male Bureau and the haunting cases she worked on. Throughout her career, Monroe consulted on more than 850 homicide cases, including those involving notorious serial killers like Kemper.
Known for his towering 6’9″ frame, Kemper committed his first murder at the age of 15 and was diagnosed with schizophrenia. After being released from a mental hospital, he went on an 11-month killing spree and was eventually convicted in 1973, receiving a life sentence in a maximum-security prison.
Monroe also shares insights on notorious serial killers like Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dahmer. With her extensive experience, she aims to debunk the misconception that serial killers have a specific appearance. As she puts it, “serial killers can mask all of that,” making them appear normal, even engaging in casual conversations with unsuspecting individuals.
Delving into the psychology of serial killers, Monroe hopes her book brings a deeper understanding of these individuals, their motivations, and the impact they have on the lives of others.
Jana Monroe’s harrowing encounters with some of the most notorious serial killers reveal the chilling and captivating hold these individuals have on those who come into contact with them. Her experiences shed light on the hidden complexities and contradictions of human behavior in the darkest corners of the human psyche.