Benjamin Appleby, a resident of Bantam, is currently serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole for fifty years in connection with the death of Alexandra “Ali” Kemp.
The incident occurred on June 18, 2002, and it drew significant media attention due to its tragic nature.
Ali Kemp’s Tragic Death
Ali Kemp, a 19-year-old girl from Leawood, Kansas, had recently completed her freshman year with honors at Kansas State University in the summer of 2002.
Her life was tragically cut short when she was killed on June 18, 2002. The discovery of Ali’s body under a tarp in a pool maintenance room was a devastating moment for her father, Roger Kemp.
Investigation and Identification
The case garnered widespread attention, leading to an increased effort by the police to gather evidence and solve the crime. Eventually, a sketch of the potential suspect was created based on information obtained during the investigation.
The individual in the sketch was later identified as Benjamin Appleby, who was residing in Bantam, Connecticut, under the name Teddy Hoover.
Benjamin Appleby’s Background and Arrest
Benjamin Appleby, a convicted murderer from the United States, was arrested in connection with Ali Kemp’s murder in November 2004.
It was revealed that at the time of the murder, Appleby was working as a pool maintenance man. Prior to this incident, he had a history of run-ins with the law, including charges of robbery and sexual misconduct.
Charges and Conviction
Appleby claimed that he approached Ali with the intention of flirting, but when she did not respond as he had hoped, he became agitated. The situation escalated, leading to a violent confrontation in which Ali was assaulted.
As a result, Benjamin Appleby was charged with capital murder and attempted rape.
He was subsequently convicted on both counts.
Sentencing and Current Status
Following his conviction, Appleby received a life sentence for the murder and an additional 19-year sentence for the attempted rape. However, the conviction related to the rape was later overturned.
In 2019, an appeal for a reduced sentence was unsuccessful. Presently, Appleby is serving his sentence at the El Dorado Correctional Facility in Butler County, Kansas.
Motivation Behind the Crime
Benjamin Appleby’s actions stemmed from his attempt to flirt with Ali Kemp.
When his advances were rebuffed, his frustration led to a violent outburst.
Tragically, this confrontation resulted in Ali’s death. The brutal nature of the attack shocked the community and drew attention to the need for justice.
The murder of Ali Kemp left a lasting impact, prompting widespread public interest and support for her family in their pursuit of justice.
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