The Infamous Serial Killer: Theodore Robert Bundy

Theodore Robert Bundy is widely regarded as the most infamous serial of all time, and is indisputably the first to garner national recognition. He was able to attain this sinister status because of several factor, however, two have more obvious significance. Bundy had at least thirty kills confirmed to his name, however it is possible he was responsible for the deaths of 100+ women during his reign of terror. The other spectacular thing about Bundy was his overly dramatic trial, where Bundy would take full advantage of debonair personality, going so far as to amass a fanbase of young women while in custody. Though not the only reasons, the sheer number of women he was able to kill and his soap opera like trial were the biggest contributors

Many of the witnesses or victims that of these crimes would often describe a handsome and charming man who would refer to himself simply as “Ted”. (Marie J. MacNee) The police compiled a list of suspects matching this description, and, although, Bundy was a member of this list, few policemen, having known the upstanding and successful Ted Bundy, passed him over as a suspect. Ted was able to evade suspicion fore years and was able to carry out his brutal crimes unchallenged for a time. However, when Bundy was finally caught it was for a far less serious offense. Ted would often take slow drives through nearby neighborhoods, prowling like a hungry fox looking for its next victim. Unfortunately for Bundy, he was not inconspicuous enough and a resident alerted the police to his behavior. When he was pulled the police suspected him of casing houses for robbery, a suspicion that was seemingly confirmed upon discovering common burglary items such as a crowbar and a ski mask. It was while in custody for attempted burglary, however, that some his more heinous crimes were uncovered. One of his surviving kidnapping victims as well two other witnesses were able to confirm that this suave young man was indeed the serial rapist and murder

Bundy, who had previously attended law school, was granted permission to do research for his own case. While in Pitkin County Courthouse Library he was able to slip out a window into the outside world. This freedom was short lived as he was recaptured just days after breaking loose. This seemed to only embolden the spree murderer, however as he was able to escape a second time by squirming through a trap door in his cell. After his successful snake-like escape, Bundy fled to Florida where continued his vile misdeeds. Unbeknownst to him, however, these would be his last. As a fugitive Ted was able to kill three more victims,one of which had deep bite marks on the body, and beat two others, who managed to survive. Amongst these victims was his last, twelve-year-old Kimberly Leach, who’s corpse was found butchered underneath a hog shed. Thankfully, after this unreconcilable crime, Ted was caught fleeing on foot from a stolen vehicle. He reportedly told the officers restraining him “I wish you had killed me.” (Marie J.