The Ted Bundy Tapes documentary is currently playing on Netflix, and a Hollywood movie on Ted Bundy’s bizarre life is soon to be released. Both seek to understand the mentality and craziness of a man who is frequently referred to as “charming,” “handsome,” and “clever” while being America’s deadliest serial killer.
Even 30 years after Bundy was executed, most people would still be familiar with his name, thanks to this sick curiosity. Most would be able to identify his face. Most people could recall some of the horrific events that took place in the middle to late 1970s, including the kidnapping, raping, torturing, and murder of at least 30 women and girls.
But do any of those women look familiar to us?
These are only a handful of their tales.
Margaret Bowman
Although Margaret’s family frequently traveled as a child, she was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. Her grandmother Margaret, who also had the name Margaret, had committed to Florida State University, where she later attended to study art history and classical civilizations and joined the Chi Omega sorority. They made St. Petersburg, Florida, their home during Margaret’s adolescence when she attended high school and joined the tennis team and the French club.
She was learning to sew when she was murdered at Chi Omega in January 1978. She was working on a green velveteen dress.
Debi Kent
Debi, 17, was a stunning ballerina who yearned for a career in theatre.
On November 8, 1974, the Utah girl offered to pick up her younger brother from a neighbouring roller rink while she and her family were attending a Viewmont High School production of “The Redhead.” She didn’t show up. Although her car was discovered in the school parking lot, where she had left it earlier that evening, the youngster was nowhere to be seen.
Her disappearance was a mystery for many years till Bundy admitted to killing her just before his 1989 execution. Her body was never found.
Janice Ott
Janice’s family had a strong commitment to public service. Her father served as the Spokane, Washington, public schools’ assistant director and had previously been a member of the state board of paroles. Janice picked up some of that civic-mindedness, and after graduating from Washington State University, she began working as a juvenile court probation officer.
When her husband relocated to California to pursue his studies in creating prosthetic devices for individuals with disabilities about 18 months into their marriage, she remained in Washington due to her commitment to her career. They frequently communicated by letter and phone and intended to be back together in September 1974.
On July 14 of that year, while sunbathing in Lake Sammamish State Park, Janice was last seen alive. Witnesses overheard her conversing with a man who had his arm in a cast and requested assistance in putting his sailboat onto his car. Ted is the name the individual used to identify himself.
That September, her remains and those of Denise Marie Naslund, another of Bundy’s victims, were discovered in a highly wooded region about three kilometers apart.
Melissa Smith
Melissa was a reserved young lady who was the police chief’s daughter. Her father had often cautioned her and her sister about the value of personal protection and the threats facing young ladies. Even still, the threat had never quite seemed genuine to about 5000 primarily Morman citizens in a tranquil Utah town.
On October 18, 1974, Melissa was set to go to a sleepover, but a friend who worked at the neighbourhood pizzeria contacted her in tears after a quarrel with her boyfriend. Melissa reassured the girl as she made her way alone to the restaurant. She continued home along the same road, where she intended to gather her belongings and left for the sleepover. She has yet to arrive.
In Summit Park, more than 30 minutes’ drive away, her body was discovered nine days later.
Georgann Hawkins
“George” used to be a cheerful young girl who attracted attention. She was popular, athletic, and an avid swimmer. According to her mother, she competed in swimming for a while until she learned about boys, after which she stopped, according to Green Valley News.
“George” eventually enrolled at the University of Washington. She was last seen leaving her boyfriend’s dorm and returning to her sorority via a well-lit alley.
She never made it.
Wrapping Up
Donna Gail Manson, Lynda Ann Healy, Roberta Kathleen Parks, Karen Sparks, Nancy Wilcox, Caryn Eileen Campbell, Lynette Dawn Culver, Kathy Kleiner, Kimberly Diane Leach, Susan Elaine Rancourt, Brenda Carol Ball, Denise Marie Naslund, Laura Ann Aime, Carol DaRonch, Julie Cunningham, Denise Lynn Oliverson, Susan Curtis, Lisa Levy, Karen Chandler, Cheryl Thomas, and according to experts potentially dozens more were ted bundy victims.
