A chilling narrative has emerged of a convicted serial killer, Scott Kimball, who while serving as an FBI informant, manipulated the system and committed a series of murders across the western United States. Kimball, now 58 years old, is serving a 70-year sentence for four confirmed murders between 2003 and 2004. However, former FBI Special Agent Jonny Grusing suspects the true number of victims may be much higher.
The tale begins before Kimball's stint as an informant when he was already known to the authorities for his criminal activities, including fraud. During the 1990s, he spent time in prison, where he cultivated relationships with law enforcement and other inmates, paving the way for his eventual role as a federal informant.
One of his early manipulations involved his cellmate Steve Ennis, whom Kimball convinced he could sway legal outcomes. This deception extended to Ennis' girlfriend, Jennifer Marcum—one of Kimball's first confirmed victims, as reported by The Post Millennial. By 2003, Kimball had secured full informant privileges, granting him an unprecedented level of credibility and access within the FBI.
Grusing detailed how Kimball exploited his position to orchestrate murders while simultaneously providing the FBI with false information. He described the case of Jennifer Marcum as an example of Kimball's cunning, noting how Kimball manipulated Steve Ennis into making Marcum vulnerable to his plot, all the while casting suspicion elsewhere.
Kimball's confirmed body count also includes LeAnn Emry, Kaysi McLeod, and his own uncle, Terry Kimball. Although he confessed to 21 murders, some legal documents suggest the grim tally could be between 45 and 50. Fox News noted that many alleged victims remain unidentified.
Despite red flags and the pleas of family members, the FBI did not begin a formal investigation into Kimball until 2006. During his time as an informant, he left "breadcrumbs" in case files—subtle clues that hinted at his involvement without fully betraying his role. This approach allowed him to maintain a facade of cooperation with the agency.
Kimball's eventual arrest came in 2006 on unrelated fraud charges in California, which then led to the murder case against him. By 2009, he was convicted and sentenced to life in federal prison. The remains of McLeod and Emry have since been found, but Marcum's body remains missing.
Kimball's interactions with law enforcement revealed a chilling lack of remorse. He even referred to himself as "The Opportunity Killer," suggesting his crimes were crimes of convenience. His ability to exploit FBI systems has been described as unparalleled by former agents, highlighting the grave consequences of misplaced trust within such institutions.
The consequences of Kimball's actions extend beyond the immediate victims. His case has prompted internal reviews of informant oversight procedures within the FBI, underscoring the dangers of granting significant authority to individuals with criminal backgrounds. This saga is a stark reminder of the vulnerability of institutional trust and the lasting impact of such exploitation on victims and law enforcement.
