Edgler Vess

Edgler Foreman Vess is the main antagonist of Dean Koontz's 1995 novel Intensity and its 1997 TV miniseries adaptation, in which he was played by John C. McGinley.

A self-described "homicidal adventurer", Vess rapes, tortures and murders people at random in order to experience the full emotional and physical intensity of the sensation; he kills to feel alive. Physically powerful, charming and highly intelligent, he is a formidable predator who has killed dozens of people, beginning in childhood.

In the novel
Vess breaks into Templeton family's home and kills everyone inside except for the family's houseguest, Chyna Shepard, whom he unknowingly kidnaps when he drives off in his van, unaware that she is hiding in the back. She sees him kidnap a young girl named Ariel, and pursues Vess in order to save her.

Eventually, Vess finds out that she is following him, but decides not to kill her right away, as he is fascinated by her. He allows her to follow him into his remote log cabin, where is holding Ariel prisoner, and takes Chyna hostage as well. He offers to let Chyna live if she helps him torture Ariel, but she refuses. When Vess is briefly called away, Chyna escapes her bindings and sets Ariel free, as well. They escape Vess' attack dogs and flee in his van. They flag down a police car - only to find out that it is driven by Vess, the local sheriff.

Chyna rams his police car, but he rolls clear and uses a shotgun to disable the motor home, causing it to tip over. Chyna and Ariel escape the wreck, but Vess catches up to them and knocks Chyna to the ground while Ariel continues on, distracting Vess long enough for Chyna to pull a lighter from her pocket. She uses it to ignite Vess's gasoline-soaked boot. She rolls away to safety just before the pool of gas surrounding Vess ignites. After catching up to Ariel, she turns and watches as Vess burns to death.