Convicted murderer up for parole

A man convicted in 1988 of murdering his wife, stashing her body in velvet-lined box and putting it in the garage, will be up for parole next month.

Carl Kemp, then 40, killed his wife, Judy Kemp, then 32, in 1987. She suffered more than 200 blows to her body, according to the autopsy report. Testimony during his trial revealed Kemp had a history of brutalizing and terrorizing his wife.

He built a wooden casket and put his wife’s body in it, according to trial testimony and evidence. He then left it in the garage and dumped cat litter on it.

A week after Judy Kemp was killed, Carl Kemp called a funeral director to pick up the body. The funeral director called police after being told the body was in the garage in a box.

The Kansas Parole Board is seeking comments from the public about inmates with upcoming parole hearings. The board will hear comments:

  • Dec. 29, 10 a.m. to noon, City Hall, 701 N. Seventh St., Kansas City, Kan.
  • Dec. 31, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Landon State Office Building, first floor, room 106 A, Topeka.