A convicted serial killer who simultaneously served as an FBI informant managed to manipulate law enforcement for years while committing multiple murders across the western United States.
Scott Kimball, 58, received a 70-year federal prison sentence in 2009 for four confirmed killings between 2003 and 2004, though former FBI Special Agent Jonny Grusing has suggested the actual number of victims could be significantly higher.
During this period, Kimball exploited his informant status to mislead authorities and hide his crimes, leaving investigators with lingering questions about his full scope of violence.
Before his time as an informant, Kimball had a long criminal history, including repeated fraud and stints in prison during the 1990s.
He cultivated connections with local law enforcement and fellow inmates, which allowed him to secure a federal informant role.
In one case, he convinced his cellmate Steve Ennis that he could influence witnesses in Ennis’ drug charges, portraying himself as having the ability to “handle” legal matters.
Around this time, Kimball also became acquainted with Ennis’ girlfriend, Jennifer Marcum, who would later become one of his first confirmed victims, according to The Post Millennial.
By 2003, Kimball had gained full FBI informant privileges, giving him unprecedented credibility and access within the Bureau.
Grusing described how Kimball leveraged this position to commit murders while feeding misleading information to the FBI.
“Our primary victim in our case was Jennifer Marcum,” Grusing said. “He manipulated Steve into facilitating contact with her, isolating her while deflecting suspicion onto others.”
Kimball’s confirmed victims include Marcum, LeAnn Emry—a stripper fatally shot and abandoned in the desert—Kaysi McLeod and his uncle, Terry Kimball.
While he confessed to 21 murders, legal filings suggest he may have killed as many as 45 to 50 people.
Fox News reports that many alleged victims have never been publicly identified
The FBI did not formally investigate Kimball until 2006, despite warning signs and family members’ persistent inquiries.
During his time as an informant, Kimball left subtle clues in case files, creating what Grusing called “breadcrumbs” that hinted at his involvement while maintaining a facade of cooperation. “
He enjoyed leaving evidence that suggested he was in control, yet no one could fully see his role,” Grusing said.
Authorities arrested Kimball on unrelated fraud charges in California in 2006, providing an opportunity to build a murder case.
By 2009, he was officially charged with multiple killings and sentenced to spend the rest of his life in federal prison.
Investigators later recovered the remains of McLeod and Emry, though Marcum’s body has never been found.
Throughout his interactions with law enforcement, Kimball demonstrated a calculated and chilling lack of remorse.
He reportedly referred to himself as “The Opportunity Killer,” acknowledging he struck when circumstances allowed.
Former agents have described his ability to exploit FBI systems as unparalleled, using his status to avoid accountability while committing violent acts.
Kimball remains incarcerated in Colorado, where he is expected to spend the remainder of his life behind bars.
His case has prompted internal reviews of informant oversight procedures, highlighting the potential risks of granting extensive authority to individuals with prior criminal convictions.
The saga serves as a stark reminder of how institutional trust can be exploited by manipulative offenders, leaving victims and law enforcement to confront the consequences for years.
