HONOLULU - A chilling tale of crime and deception involving mother-son duo Sante and Kenny Kimes has captured the attention of audiences anew, as their infamous criminal activities spanning decades come to light once again. The Kimes escalated their lawlessness to unprecedented levels, culminating with the murder of wealthy socialite Irene Silverman, which led to their capture and widespread notoriety.
The saga first gained national attention when the Kimes were arrested following the disappearance of Silverman from her luxurious Upper East Side Manhattan apartment. Reportedly missing since July 5, 1998, her absence prompted concerned inquiries from her property manager, Jeff Feig, who noticed her housekeeping staff mentioning she had vanished. The investigation revealed not only Silverman’s sudden disappearance but also how it was linked to the Kimes’ long list of crimes—a criminal spree marked by cunning deceit and grim motivations.
According to reports from NBC Dateline, the Kimes’ transgressions were not limited to Manhattan; they extended across multiple states, including Los Angeles and Hawaii. A prominent figure connected to this story, journalist Keith Morrison, described the series of events as one of the most remarkable stories he has ever covered, noting, “This is one of the craziest and most unusual stories we ever covered.” His work has reignited public interest through broadcasts detailing the Kimes’ heinous actions.
Investigators have pieced together incidents involving Sante Kimes, who orchestrated much of the criminal activities, along with her son Kenny, since the 1980s. They indicated Kimes used charm and manipulation to create opportunities for theft and fraud, exploiting victims under various pretenses.
Their shady dealings included insurance fraud, theft, and even killing multiple individuals to advance their schemes for financial gain. Fires at their Hawaii property, allegedly set intentionally to claim insurance payouts, stand as testaments to their ruthlessness. Morrison recounted how reported fires at the Kimes’ mansion at Portlock Road were initially suspected arson cases, hinting at the elaborate lengths Sante would go to maintain their lavish lifestyle.
The heart-stopping crime began to unravel when police discovered Kenny Kimes was found with Silverman’s ID and American Express card shortly after their arrest. Authorities also recovered significant evidence including cash believed to be linked to her missing assets, firearms, and what officials described as zip ties used for nefarious purposes. This fortuitous evidence led to the unraveling of their criminal empire.
“She was as charismatic as they come. She looked like Elizabeth Taylor,” Morrison elaborated, referring to Sante’s ability to charm her victims. But her charisma hid the heart of darkness; “She is the most evil woman I’ve ever met,” said Detective Bill Cox, who had extensive involvement with the investigation.
Sentenced to 120 years behind bars, Sante Kimes died at the age of 79, remaining infamous until her final days, with Kenny Kimes, her accomplice, receiving life without parole. His capture marked the end of their brazen spree spanning several states including Hawaii, where they built their brutal reputation.
The story also directly touches on family dynamics, particularly the relationship between the Kimes brothers. Kent Walker, the older half-brother of Kenny, expressed sorrow over both his mother’s manipulative grip and his sibling’s misfortune. “He didn’t have a chance,” Walker lamented, reflecting on how Kenny grew up seeking approval from their mother, who guided him down the path to crime.
Through exclusive interviews during the Dateline special, Kenny offered chilling confessions about his involvement and the crimes he committed, many at the insistence of his mother. “I confessed to all the murders,” he disclosed during his conversations with Morrison, hinting at remorse entwined with the admiration he bore for Sante, leading viewers to question the sincerity of his regret.
Digging deep, Morrison reflected on the overarching dynamics of the family unit—how the charisma and cunning of Sante drew her children, particularly Kenny, closer to the edge of lawlessness. The tragic tale highlights not only the crimes but the emotional scars they left behind on family relationships.
Those who followed the tragic sequence of the Kimes’ crimes can tune back in as the Dateline episode titled “The Devil Wore White” airs, promising viewers insights and details about the chilling true-crime experiences as shared by those affected, leading to the tragic capture of this notorious duo.
The enduring public fascination remains, as the chilling intertwining of crime and family loyalty raises uncomfortable questions about love, manipulation, and the evils lurking beneath the surface of human relationships. Only time can tell how the eerie legacy of the Kimes will manifest moving forward.
Viewers curious about the details surrounding Sante and Kenny Kimes can engage with these topics through additional media offerings from Dateline, which continues to illuminate the complex narratives behind notorious criminal figures.