Convicted South Carolina Serial Killer Todd Kohlhepp Moved to Supermax Confinement After Prison Investigation
GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA – Convicted Upstate serial killer Todd Kohlhepp has been moved to supermax confinement indefinitely, following a FOX Carolina investigation that revealed he was attempting to profit from his crimes while serving multiple life sentences in a South Carolina prison.
Officials with the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) confirmed the transfer after evidence surfaced showing Kohlhepp had been sending messages from his prison-issued tablet, arranging to sell autographed memorabilia and court documents related to his murders.
Serial Killer Under 24-Hour Surveillance
Kohlhepp’s move to the state’s most restrictive prison environment means he now has no access to visitors, phones, or tablets. Cameras monitor him 24 hours a day, and he is allowed out of his cell for only one hour per day.
The decision followed mounting pressure from victims’ families and public outrage after FOX Carolina obtained communications in which Kohlhepp appeared to boast about his crimes while coordinating the sale of signed materials.
“We deserve peace and quiet,” said Lorraine Lucas, the mother of one of Kohlhepp’s victims, Brian Lucas, who was murdered over two decades ago. “When he went to prison, that’s what we thought we’d get. I don’t want to see his face or hear his name ever again.”
FOX Carolina Investigation Exposes Prison Misconduct
The scandal began when FOX Carolina obtained digital messages showing Kohlhepp corresponding with individuals outside the prison. The communications revealed plans to sell personal items, including court records, autopsy reports, and artwork — all tied to his violent crimes.
A viewer later provided the station with hundreds of pages of evidence, including signed memorabilia Kohlhepp allegedly mailed out of prison with the intent to profit.
The revelations triggered both internal and criminal investigations by the Department of Corrections and the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office, prompting an emergency review of security protocols.
Victims’ Families Demand Accountability
Families of Kohlhepp’s victims met with state officials on Tuesday for an update. Many expressed relief that he had finally been isolated but also frustration that it took media exposure to bring accountability.
“He’s been doing whatever he wanted for eight years,” said Tom Lucas, Brian Lucas’ father. “If FOX Carolina hadn’t uncovered this, who knows what else would’ve been going on.”
He added that the Department of Corrections must take responsibility for how such materials were allowed to circulate. “They run the prison system — it’s their job to make sure something like this doesn’t happen.”
Ongoing Investigations and Next Steps
SCDC officials admitted to monitoring Kohlhepp’s communications but have not explained how the materials slipped through their security system. The Attorney General’s Office has declined to comment on the case’s current status, leaving questions about whether the criminal investigation remains open or if new charges could be filed.
For now, Kohlhepp’s confinement has brought a measure of closure to the families still haunted by his crimes.
“If they keep him in there with no privileges, no visitors, and no way to reach out, I’m a happy camper,” said Lorraine Lucas. “All I want is peace.”
A Notorious Case That Still Haunts the Upstate
Todd Kohlhepp was convicted in 2017 for a series of brutal murders across the Upstate region, including the kidnapping and imprisonment of a woman on his property in Woodruff, South Carolina. His crimes shocked the state and led to one of the most extensive serial killer investigations in modern South Carolina history.
Authorities say his recent attempt to capitalize on those crimes has reopened old wounds for victims’ families — but his supermax isolation may finally put an end to his communication with the outside world.
Readers can share their reactions and follow ongoing developments in South Carolina criminal justice reform at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
