Charles Kemp

Charles Kemp (age: 50s) is a real estate mogul and the father of Ashley Kemp and Blake Kemp. He is the wealthiest person in Devils Lake, owning several properties throughout town that he rents out to local businesses. He likes to portray himself as a pillar of the community, regularly donating money to Mercy Hospital and other charitable causes.

Personality
Charles is superficially charming which, combined with his displays of generosity, has earned him a generally positive reputation in the town. Some, like police officer Ángel Hernandez, find him to be conceited and resent the fact that he seems to feel entitled to special treatment. In a conversation with Hope Conners, Doctor Nikita Sonin says that she feels like she needs to take a shower after shaking his hand and receiving a check from him in front of the press. In private, Charles is often rude and prone to bouts of anger. He holds poor people in contempt, often referring to them as parasites.

Biography
Originally from Grand Forks, Charles moved to Devils Lake approximately twenty years prior to the events of the series. Charles's father is a wealthy real estate mogul in Grand Forks and it is implied that Charles moved to Devils Lake to get out of his father's shadow. In an argument with Blake Kemp, Charles describes his relocation to Devils Lake as "starting from scratch and building himself up from nothing." Blake replies that he has "stayed nothing," referring to Devils Lake as a "shithole in the middle of nowhere." Charles reacts to this by backhanding his son in the face. Charles was married when he moved to the town but has been divorced for several years at the start of the series.

Friendship with Terrence Parker
Having met through his financial relationship with Mercy Hospital, Charles Kemp and Doctor Terrence Parker often play golf and drink scotch together at the country club. In a conversation with DEA Agent Rashad Jones, Terrence reveals that he finds Charles grating to be around, but that it can't hurt to be friends with the richest man in town. Charles, on the other hand, views Terrence as his closest friend and is devastated when Terrence is rendered comatose by a car crash.

Relationship with the Police
Charles regularly donates money to the Devils Lake police force, as well as holding an annual party for select "outstanding" police officers on his boat, the Pura Vida.

Murders
Near the end of season 4, it is revealed that Charles Kemp has been killing people from the Sunset Trailer Park and dumping their bodies in the lake, a series of murders referred to as the Sunset Murders. He manages to evade the police throughout the series, using his wealth to cover his tracks.