The Criminology of Ted Bundy
An Interactive Deconstruction of a Serial Killer
Theodore Robert Bundy was one of America’s most infamous serial killers. Over four years in the 1970s, he kidnapped, raped, and murdered numerous young women and girls across several states. This infographic explores the geographical and chronological scope of his crimes, as well as the criminological theories that attempt to explain his violent rampage.
Geography of Violence
Click on the markers to learn more about the locations of Bundy’s known attacks.
Chronology of a Killer
1946
Born: Theodore Robert Cowell is born in Burlington, Vermont.
1974
First Known Attacks: A series of violent attacks and disappearances of young women begins in Washington and Oregon.
1975
Move to Utah: Bundy enrolls in law school in Utah, and attacks begin in this new region, including Colorado and Idaho.
Aug 1975
First Arrest: Pulled over in Utah. Police find a ski mask, rope, and handcuffs in his car. He is later convicted of kidnapping Carol DaRonch.
1977
Escapes: Bundy escapes from custody twice. First from a courthouse in Aspen, Colorado, and then from jail in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.
1978
Florida Rampage: After his second escape, Bundy travels to Florida and commits a brutal series of attacks, including the Chi Omega sorority house murders.
Feb 1978
Final Arrest: Bundy is captured for the last time in Pensacola, Florida.
1989
Execution: Ted Bundy is executed in Florida’s electric chair on January 24th.
Victimology
Bundy confessed to 30 homicides, but the true number of victims remains unknown. Below is a partial list of the women and girls he murdered. Each represents a life cut tragically short.
Lynda Ann Healy
Age 21, Washington
Donna Gail Manson
Age 19, Washington
Susan Rancourt
Age 18, Washington
Brenda Carol Ball
Age 22, Washington
Georgann Hawkins
Age 18, Washington
Denise Naslund
Age 19, Washington
Melissa Smith
Age 17, Utah
Laura Aime
Age 17, Utah
Debra Kent
Age 17, Utah
Caryn Campbell
Age 23, Colorado
Lisa Levy
Age 20, Florida
Margaret Bowman
Age 21, Florida
Kimberly Leach
Age 12, Florida
Theories of Deviance
Psychopathy
Bundy exhibited many traits of a classic psychopath: glib charm, a grandiose sense of self-worth, pathological lying, manipulativeness, and a profound lack of empathy or remorse. He saw his victims not as human beings, but as objects for his gratification.
Social Learning Theory
This theory suggests criminal behavior is learned through observation and imitation. Bundy himself often blamed his exposure to violent pornography from a young age, claiming it fueled and shaped his violent fantasies, which he then acted upon.
The MacDonald Triad
This triad suggests a link between three childhood behaviors (animal cruelty, fire-setting, and persistent bedwetting) and later violent tendencies. While not a perfect predictor, reports suggest Bundy exhibited some of these behaviors, hinting at deep-seated issues from childhood.
Lesser-Known Facts
Crisis Hotline Volunteer
In a chilling irony, Bundy once worked at a suicide crisis hotline in Seattle alongside Ann Rule, the true-crime author who would later write the definitive book about him, “The Stranger Beside Me.” Rule noted he was empathetic and skilled at his job.
Political Ambitions
Bundy was highly intelligent and politically active. He worked on the successful 1972 gubernatorial campaign for Washington Governor Daniel J. Evans. He was well-regarded and even received a letter of recommendation from the governor.
Assisted Law Enforcement
While in prison before his execution, Bundy assisted the FBI in creating a profile of another serial killer, the Green River Killer (Gary Ridgway). His insights, drawn from his own twisted psychology, were considered valuable by investigators.
Acted as His Own Lawyer
During his Florida trial, the former law student dismissed his defense attorneys and chose to represent himself. This gave him a platform for his narcissistic grandstanding and allowed him to cross-examine witnesses and officers, creating a bizarre courtroom spectacle.
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