The Case of Ted Bundy

Trigger Warning is needed for this case study: elements of rape, animal cruelty, murder and extreme violence

Background

Ted Bundy was born in Vermont on the 24th November, 1946. He was raised as the adopted son of his grandparents and was told that his mother was his sister. Some may argue that the maternal deprivation he experienced was an influence on his later behaviour. This links back to the individualistic theories (Bowlby's Maternal Deprivation Theory) that we learnt in Unit 2. Despite this, Bundy grew up in a content, working-class family. 

Bundy showed an unusual interest in the macabre at an early age. His fascination with knives began from as early as 3 years old. Other unusual habits included picking apart mice in the words. His violent behaviour started with trying to drown people while swimming or drowning. He showed no sense of remorse, guilt, embarrassment or shame.

He gained a degree in psychology at the University of Washington. As a student, he fell in love with a woman named Diane Edwards. He idolised her money, class and influence. Many of his later victims resembled Edwards - attractive students with long, dark hair.

His Crime

Bundy murdered thirty women across several states in the 1970s. However, experts believe that this number may be closer to 100 or more.

His murders consisted of him raping his victims before beating them to death. He would lure these women into his car by pretending to be injured and asking for help. Most sources state that he began carrying out these murders around 1974. During this period, many women went missing in the Seattle area and nearby in Oregon. Criminologist Matt DeLisi argued that Bundy dropped many clues that there were way more murders. The exact number of women that he killed will never be known.

His ex girlfriend- Elizabeth Kloepfer began to suspect his crimes. However he fought off these concerns using his charm. Despite this, she secretly went to the police with suspicions of his involvement in local murders. She presented them with evidence that assisted his arrest. Bundy even confessed to Kloepfer from his prison cell that he had tried to kill her.

He later moved to Utah, where further women suddenly went missing. He was pulled over by the police here, where they discovered a series of burglary tools, including a crow bar, face mask, rope and handcuffs. This is where the police began to link him to more serious crimes. 

In 1975, he kidnapped a woman named Carol DaRonch, who managed to escape. This led to Bundy's arrest and conviction, with a 1-15 year jail sentence. 

His Trial

Despite Bundy receiving a great amount of public attention in the trial due to his 'good looks, charm and intelligence,' he was convicted for two murders in 1979 and given the death penalty twice. Whilst on death row for 9 years, he attempted to appeal his sentence. In 1980, he was given another death sentence for a further murder. This led to  his execution by electric chair in 1989. Outside the prison, crowds cheered and fireworks were set off after the execution.