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BUNDY Theodore Robert

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“ Murder is not about lust and it's not about violence. It's about possession. When you feel the last breath of life coming out of the woman, you look into her eyes. At the point, it's being God. „

Biography[]

Theodore Robert Bundy (born Cowell; November 24, 1946 — January 24, 1989) was an American serial killer.

Early life[]

Theodore Robert Bundy was born on November 24, 1946, in Burlington, Vermont, to Eleanor Louise Cowell. Raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Bundy believed for much of his life that his grandparents were his parents and his mother was his sister. This family dynamic would later play a role in the development of his psyche.

Education and Charisma[]

Bundy was considered a bright and articulate student, gaining admission to the University of Puget Sound and later transferring to the University of Washington. Despite his charming exterior, Bundy's darker side began to emerge during his college years. He started shoplifting and became increasingly fixated on violent pornography.

Criminal Escalation[]

In the early 1970s, a series of disappearances and murders began in Washington, Oregon, Colorado, and Utah. Bundy, who by then had worked in politics and law, was revealed as the perpetrator. His modus operandi involved feigning injuries or using a fake cast to gain the trust of young women before abducting and murdering them.

Arrest and Trials[]

Bundy's criminal activities escalated, leading to his arrest in 1978. He escaped custody twice, showcasing his cunning nature. During his trials, Bundy represented himself and often charmed the courtroom. Despite his efforts, he was convicted and received multiple death sentences.

Death[]

Ted Bundy was executed in the electric chair at Florida State Prison on January 24, 1989, at 7:00 AM. He was declared dead at 7:16 AM[1]. His crimes and the brutality of his acts shocked the nation. Although Bundy's intelligence, charisma, and ability to blend into society contributed to his notoriety as one of the most infamous serial killers in American history, these traits have often been exaggerated by the media, amplifying his infamy.

Bundy's case continues to be studied by criminal psychologists, and his life has been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, and films. His ability to manipulate and deceive has left an indelible mark on the public's perception of serial killers.

Victims[]

Confirmed victims[]

# Name Age Date of Death Location of Death Cause of Death
1 Lynda Ann Healy 21 February 1, 1974 University of Washington, Washington Bludgeoning
2 Donna Manson 19 March 12, 1974 Evergreen St. College, Olympia, Washington Never found
3 Susan Rancourt 18 April 17, 1974 Central Washington St. College, Ellensbur, Washington
4 Kathy Parks 22 May 6, 1974 Corvallis, Oregon
5 Brenda Ball 22 June 1, 1974 Burien, Washington
6 Georgann Hawkins[note 1] 18 June 11, 1974 University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
7 Janice Ott 23 July 14, 1974 (12:30 AM) Lake Sammamish State Park, Washington
8 Denise Naslund 19 July 14, 1974 (4:40 PM) Lake Sammamish State Park, Washington
9 Nancy Wilcox 16 October 2, 1974 Holladay, Utah Strangulation
10 Melissa Smith 17 October 18, 1974 Midvale, Utah Strangulation
11 Laura Aime 17 October 31, 1974 Lehi, Utah Bludgeoning
12 Debbie Kent 17 November 8, 1974 Bountiful, Utah
13 Caryn Campbell 23 January 12, 1975 Snowmass, Colorado Bludgeoning
14 Julie Cunningham 26 March 15, 1975 Vail, Colorado Never found
15 Denise Oliverson 25 April 6, 1975 Grand Junction, Colorado Never found
16 Lynette Culver 12 May 6, 1975 Pocatello, Idaho Drowning, Never found
17 Susan Curtis 15 June 28, 1975 Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah Never found
18 Margaret Bowman 21 January 15, 1978 Tallahassee, Florida Strangulation
19 Lisa Levy 20 January 15, 1978 Tallahassee, Florida Strangulation
20 Kimberly Leach 12 February 9, 1978 Lake City, Florida

Survivors[]

# Name Age Date of Attack Location of Attack Method of Attack
1 Karen Sparks[note 2] 18 January 4, 1974 Seattle, Washington Bludgeoning
2 Lisa E. Wick 20 June 23, 1966 Seattle, Washington Bludgeoning
3 Elizabeth "Liz" Kloepfer 28 July 4, 1974 Yakima River, Washington Drowning
4 Janice Graham 22 July 14, 1974 (12:20 AM) Lake Sammamish State Park, Washington Attempted abduction
5 Sindi Siebenbam 16 July 14, 1974 (4 PM) Lake Sammamish State Park, Washington Attempted abduction
6 Patricia Ann Turner July 14, 1974 (4:15 PM) Lake Sammamish State Park, Washington Attempted abduction
7 Jacqueline Plischke July 14, 1974 (4:20 PM) Lake Sammamish State Park, Washington Attempted abduction
8 Carol DaRonch 18 November 8, 1974 Murray, Utah Bludgeoning
9 Karen Chandler 21 January 15, 1978 Tallahassee, Florida Bludgeoning
10 Kathy Kleiner 21 January 15, 1978 Tallahassee, Florida Bludgeoning
11 Cheryl Thomas 21 January 15, 1978 Tallahassee, Florida Bludgeoning

Suspected victims[]

# Name Age Date of Death Location of Death Cause of Death
1 Ann Marie Burr 8 August 31, 1961 Tacoma, Washington Disappeared; never found
2 Lonnie Trumbull 20 June 23, 1966 Seattle, Washington Bludgeoning
3 Susan Davis 19 May 30, 1969 Somers Point, New Jersey Stabbing
4 Elizabeth Perry 19 May 30, 1969 Somers Point, New Jersey Stabbing
6 Joyce LePage 21 July 22, 1971 Pullman, Washington
7 Rita Lorraine Jolly 17 June 29, 1973 West Linn, Oregon Disappeared; never found
8 Vicki Lynn Hollar 24 August 20, 1973 Eugene, Oregon Disappeared; never found
9 Brenda Baker 14 May 27, 1974 Puyallup, Washington
10 Sandra Jean Weaver 19 July 1, 1974 Salt Lake City, Utah
11 Carol Platt Valenzuela 20 August 2, 1974[note 3] near Vancouver, Washington
12 Unidentified teenage hitchhiker[note 4] September 2, 1974 Idaho Never found
13 Melanie "Suzy" Cooley 18 April 15, 1975 Nederland, Colorado Bludgeoning/Strangulation
14 Shelley Robertson 24 July 1, 1975 Golden, Colorado
15 Nancy Baird 23 July 4, 1975 Farmington, Utah Disappeared; never found
16 Debbie Smith 17 February 1976 Salt Lake City, Utah

Disproven victims[]

# Name Age Date of Death Location of Death Cause of Death Real Killer
1 Kathy Devine 14 November 25, 1973 near Olympia, Washington Disappeared; never found William Cosden
2 Rita Curran 24 July 19, 1971 Burlington, Vermont Strangulation/Bludgeoning William Richard DeRoos
3 Martha Morrison 17 September 1974[note 5] near Vancouver, Washington Unknown Warren Forrest

  • Shortly before his execution, Bundy faced inquiries regarding unsolved murders in various states, including New Jersey, Illinois, Texas, and Miami, Florida. Despite his persistent denial of involvement in these cases, Bundy had previously hinted at undisclosed murders he committed, leaving these investigations unresolved.
  • Following his capture, Bundy came under suspicion for the Santa Rosa Hitchhiker Murders, a series of at least seven homicides involving female hitchhikers in Sonoma County and Santa Rosa between 1972 and 1973. Despite Bundy spending time in neighboring Marin County, a Sonoma County detective ruled him out as a suspect. Furthermore, evidence confirmed his presence in Washington during some of the victims' disappearances.
  • In the period leading up to his execution, Bundy confided in his lawyer, asserting that he was responsible for over 100 murders. He claimed that his first victim was, in fact, a man.

Timeline[]

Timeline Incomplete
This article has an Incomplete Timeline. You can help Serial Killer Database Wiki by expanding it. (September 3, 2024)
Date Age Event
November 24, 1946 0 Theodore Robert Bundy is born in Burlington, Vermont.
January 4, 1974 27 Bundy assaults and murders his first confirmed victim, Karen Sparks, in Seattle, Washington.
February 1, 1974 Lynda Ann Healy disappears from the University District of Seattle.
March 12, 1974 Donna Gail Manson disappears.
April 17, 1974 Susan Rancourt disappears.
June 1, 1974 Brenda Ball disappears.
June 11, 1974 Georgann Hawkins disappears.
July 14, 1974 Janice Ott and Denise Naslund disappear from Lake Sammamish State Park.
October 18, 1974 Melissa Smith disappears.
November 8, 1974 Laura Aime disappears.
November 21, 1974 Carol DaRonch escapes Bundy's abduction attempt.
January 12, 1975 28 Caryn Campbell disappears.
March 15, 1975 Julie Cunningham disappears.
August 16, 1975 Bundy is arrested in Utah for evading police.
October 2, 1975 Bundy is identified by Carol DaRonch in a police lineup.
February 23, 1976 29 Bundy is found guilty of the DaRonch kidnapping and sentenced to 15 years in prison.
January 15, 1978 31 Bundy assaults and murders Chi Omega sorority members Lisa Levy and Margaret Bowman at Florida State University.
February 9, 1978 Kimberly Leach, Bundy's last known victim, disappears.
February 15, 1978 Bundy is apprehended by police in Pensacola, Florida.
July 23, 1979 32 Bundy is convicted of the Chi Omega murders.
January 24, 1989 42 Bundy is executed by electric chair at Florida State Prison.

Bibliography[]

Literature[]

  • Rule, Ann (1980). The Stranger Beside Me, W.W. Norton and Company Inc. ISBN 978-1-938402-78-4
  • Sullivan, Kevin M. (2009). The Bundy Murders: A Comprehensive History, McFarland and Company Inc. ISBN 978-0-786444-26-7
  • Carlisle, Al (2017). Violent Mind: The 1976 Psychological Assessment of Ted Bundy, Genius Book Publishing.
  • Michaud, Stephen G. (2012). The Only Living Witness: The True Story of Serial Sex Killer Ted Bundy, Authorlink. ISBN 978-1928704119
  • Nelson, Polly (2019). Defending the Devil: My Story as Ted Bundy's Last Lawyer, Echo Point Books & Media. ISBN 978-1635617-91-7
  • Kendall, Elizabeth (2020). The Phantom Prince: My Life with Ted Bundy,. ISBN 978-1419744860

Articles[]

Documentaries[]

Television[]

YouTube Documentaries[]

Podcasts[]

In popular culture[]

Film adaptations[]

Music[]

Related Articles[]

See also[]

  • Rod Alcala also represented himself during his trial.
  • Jame Gumb, a fictional character from Silence of The Lambs , was partially based on Ted Bundy. Gumb and Bundy both pretended to be injured (using an arm-brace or crutches) as a ploy to ask their victims for help. When they were helped, they incapacitated their victims. Gumb kidnapped while Bundy killed on the spot.

Links[]

Notes[]

  1. ↑ Often misspelled "Georgeann".
  2. ↑ Often identified as Joni Lenz
  3. ↑ Found along with Martha Morrison
  4. ↑ Bundy confessed to killing her[citation needed]
  5. ↑ Found alongside Carol L. Valenzuela; remained unidentified for 41 years

References[]

  1. ↑ The Final 24 Hours of Ted Bundy, Crime Sight on YouTube
  2. ↑ Trailer. Netflix Youtube.
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