A Deadly Encounter Begins
A young college student walks through a dimly lit alley on her way home. Streetlamps cast faint pools of light across the pavement. She notices a well-dressed man struggling with books beside a Volkswagen Beetle, his arm in a sling. When she offers help, he thanks her politely—then suddenly strikes her with a tire iron. He drives off with her unconscious in the car. Soon, she will be dead—strangled and violated, both before and after death.
The Charm of a Monster
This killer wasn’t the typical predator. Ted Bundy was handsome, articulate, and intelligent. He faked injuries—wearing a sling or using crutches—to appear helpless. Witnesses later described a man matching that look seen near multiple abductions. He was the last person seen with Brenda Carol Ball and Susan Elaine Rancourt—both of whom vanished without a trace.
The Disappearance of Georgann Hawkins
Georgann Hawkins, a University of Washington student, disappeared after leaving her boyfriend’s house just after midnight. A friend driving by spoke with her briefly—her last known conversation. A man with a sling had been spotted in the alley. Bundy later admitted he struck her with a crowbar and kidnapped her. She briefly regained consciousness, mumbling about a Spanish test. He strangled her, disposed of the body, and returned multiple times to relive the crime.
The Man Behind the Mask
Bundy’s arrogance was dangerous. He worked in crime prevention, even writing reports on rape safety. He attended law school and worked at a state emergency office, discussing the very cases he was responsible for. After Georgann’s disappearance, he returned to the scene in daylight and stole evidence—her shoe and earring—without anyone noticing.
He Came Through the Window
Bundy didn’t always lure women outdoors. Sometimes, he broke into homes and attacked sleeping victims. His tools: a blunt object and a rope. Police noticed similarities—victims were young white brunettes, often college students with middle-parted hair. Many disappeared from campuses undergoing construction.
Double Abduction at Lake Sammamish
In July 1974, two women vanished in broad daylight from Lake Sammamish Park. Bundy, calling himself “Ted,” approached women in a white tennis outfit, feigning a sling and asking for help with a sailboat. Two said yes—one quickly escaped. The other two weren’t so lucky. Both were abducted and murdered.
The Case Builds, But Slowly
Witnesses had Bundy’s name, car description, and composite sketch. Still, police were overwhelmed. A colleague and Bundy’s ex-girlfriend, Elizabeth Kloepfer, called in tips. But investigators dismissed them—he was too clean-cut to be a suspect.
From Washington to Utah
In August 1974, Bundy moved to Utah for law school. Soon after, killings resumed. Victims included a hitchhiker, a 16-year-old girl, and the daughter of a police chief. He kept some alive, tortured them, and even posed their corpses. He styled their hair, applied makeup, and took photos.
Elizabeth’s Growing Suspicion
Elizabeth continued to provide tips. She knew about his crutches, his stash of women’s clothes, plaster of Paris, knives, and strange behavior. But police lacked concrete evidence. Then Bundy was pulled over—and the truth began to unravel.
A Trunk Full of Terror
Police found disturbing items in Bundy’s car: a crowbar, ski mask, rope, handcuffs, and an ice pick. It matched what survivors described. The final break came when hairs in Bundy’s VW matched those of missing women. He was arrested and placed in a lineup. A survivor identified him.
A Dangerous Defendant
Out on bail, Bundy was monitored but still dangerous. Police seized his car and found more evidence. He was eventually convicted of attempted kidnapping. In prison, he represented himself in court, gaining freedom of movement. That would prove fatal.
Escape and Chaos
In 1977, Bundy escaped from a courthouse window. After six days on the run, he was caught. But he wasn’t done. Over months, he sawed through a ceiling, starved himself to slim down, and escaped again on December 30, 1977.
Florida’s Nightmare Begins
On January 15, 1978, he attacked four women at Florida State University, killing two. He then struck again, assaulting another woman in her apartment. Days later, he abducted and killed 12-year-old Kimberly Leach. Bundy was finally arrested during a routine stop. When the officer realized who he’d caught, the man said, “I wish you had killed me.”
The End of Ted Bundy
Bundy confessed to 30 murders, though the real number may never be known. His crimes were horrifying: necrophilia, decapitation, staged corpses. After years of trials and appeals, Ted Bundy was executed in the electric chair on January 24, 1989. His last words were: “Give my love to my family and friends.”
