Theodore Robert Cowell, famously known as Ted Bundy, was born in Burlington, Vermont, on November 24, 1946, to a young Eleanor Louise Cowell. Bundy’s father was an Air Force veteran whom he had never met. Bundy was an attractive, charismatic man who used this to his advantage to gain the trust of his victims. He would continue to kidnap, beat, rape, dismember, and murder dozens of women across 7 states throughout his reign of terror. Ted Bundy is known as one of the most violent serial killers due to the appalling nature of his crimes. So, without further ado, let us jump right in.
Early Years
The tale of Ted Bundy growing up sounds like the making of a serial killer in its ultimate form. Born to an unwed mother, Bundy grew up believing that his grandparents were his actual parents and his mother was his older sister. Confusing? Yes, absolutely, but that is only the beginning. As a kid, he was quiet, socially awkward, and reportedly had a habit of peeping through windows. While most kids were out collecting baseball cards and playing at the local park, Bundy was more interested in manipulating people and reading and studying crime books. He was not your average boy next door.
Despite his odd behaviors, Bundy was smart, ambitious, and deceivingly charming. He went to college and studied psychology (a bit ironic, would you agree?) and even volunteered at a crisis hotline where he worked alongside crime writer Ann Rule. I wonder what she thinks, knowing she was working closely with the guy who later became one of the most notorious serial killers in American history. Bundy’s ability to blend into society while harnessing his true intentions makes him all the more terrifying. He was not the creepy guy lurking in the shadows, but the handsome, innocent-looking man who would help you with groceries.
Reign of Terror
Ted Bundy’s killing spree began in the early 1970s, mainly targeting young women. His method was to use trickery, charm, and pure evil. He would fake injuries, pose as a police officer, or simply use his striking good looks to lure his victims to his car. From there, he would inflict unimaginable pain and suffering on his victims. By the time the authorities would catch on, he had murdered at least 30 women, though the real number may never be known. It is estimated that the actual number may be much higher.
During his stretch of killings, he had relocated across multiple states, making it extremely difficult to track him down. He killed in Washington, Oregon, Utah, Colorado, and Florida, growing more confident, which caused him to take more risks along the way. What is even crazier is that he continued to blend into society, maintain relationships, and even have a long-term relationship with a woman. He did not look like a serial killer; he looked like the neighbour you would trust to watch your dog while you went on vacation. Just goes to show you that you will only ever know a person by what they want to show you.
Trials, Escapes, and Manipulation
They first arrested Ted Bundy in 1975, but his clever ability to escape ensured he was not locked up for long. In 1977, while in custody in Colorado, he jumped from a courthouse window during a legal proceeding and remained uncaptured for 6 days. Later that year, he pulled off an even more clever escape by sawing a hole in his jail cell ceiling, lost 30 pounds so he could fit through the hole, and then proceeded to walk right out the front door. My question is, what in the world was so distracting to law enforcement that allowed Ted Bundy to walk out the front door and continue his killing spree? I’m a bit curious, are you?
When Bundy was finally captured in 1978 after leaving a trail of death in Florida, Authorities were finally able to keep him locked up for good. With Bundy believing in his abilities, he decided to represent himself in court, probably thinking he could just charm his way out of a death sentence. Lo and behold, he was not successful. His trial was the first to be nationally televised, and America watched in disgust as he cross-examined the witnesses. He was sentenced to death in 1979, but the legal battle was far from over.
Final Years
If there were ever an award given out for avoiding execution, Bundy would take home the trophy. He spent nearly a decade filing appeals, playing mind games with the legal system, and giving interviews where he would “confess” to crimes, thinking it would benefit him and prolong his execution. He would even offer to help find other serial killers in hopes it would buy him some time. His final years were, with a lack of a better word, a pathetic attempt to stay relevant as he knew time was running out for him.
On January 24, 1989, Ted Bundy was executed in the electric chair in the state of Florida. People celebrated outside the prison like their team had just won the Super Bowl. They held signs, cheered, and even sold “Burn, Bundy, Burn” T-shirts. When your execution becomes something to celebrate, you know you have done some horrific things to a lot of people. His death brought closure to the families of his victims, but the Ted Bundy name will forever live on in history.
