Utah Officials Connect Ted Bundy to 1970s Homicide

Summit County officials in Utah planned a Tuesday news conference to link another 1970s homicide to Ted Bundy. They also planned to announce the case's closure.

Officials have not yet released the victim's name.
17-year-old Melissa Ann Smith's 1974 death has long been a local cold case.
30 or more women and girls were killed by Bundy across several states.
In April, Utah officials tied Bundy to the killing of Laura Ann Aime, 17.

Why it matters: Bundy died nearly 40 years ago. DNA advances keep expanding the list of killings formally attributed to him.

Bundy confessed to some previously unknown crimes before his execution. Not all have been confirmed.
1989: Florida executed him for two 1978 killings at Florida State University.

The story so far

2 steps · since Oct 27

Oct 27Utah Officials Connect Ted Bundy to 1970s HomicideYou are here
Oct 29Ted Bundy Linked to 1995 Florida Death by DNA6 sourcesLatest

How 29 sources split on this story

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Coverage by lean% of 29 sources

29 sources · 37 articles · 48% Center coverage

Center coverage, 14 sources: The center runs the same wire report, focused on the scheduled announcement and the unnamed victim.

Left coverage, 8 sources: The left sees an update on a cold case, carried through wire reporting, in which DNA advances keep adding to Bundy's confirmed toll.

The Independent1w+What to know about serial killer Ted Bundy and his rampage of violence The Boston Globe1w+Utah investigators link teenager’s 1974 death to Ted Bundy Boston.com1w+Serial killer Ted Bundy is linked to another Utah teenager's 1974 killing through DNA testing CNN1w+Serial killer Ted Bundy is linked to another Utah teenager’s 1974 murder through new DNA testing, prosecutor says Houston Chronicle1w+Serial killer Ted Bundy is linked to another Utah teenager's 1974 killing through DNA testing Los Angeles Times1w+Utah authorities connect serial killer Ted Bundy to another 1970s homicide Tampa Bay Times1w+Florida executed Ted Bundy 37 years ago. Cops now connect him to another murder The Guardian1w+Serial killer Ted Bundy linked through DNA to 1974 murder of Utah girl

Right7 sources

OutKick1w+Ted Bundy could have more undiscovered victims after DNA links him to murder of chief's daughter: detective The Washington Times1w+Utah authorities say DNA links 17-year-old killed in 1974 to Ted Bundy Citizen Free Press1w+New victim confirmed, murdered by Ted Bundy.Daily Mail1w+Notorious serial killer Ted Bundy linked to death of another teenager in 1974 due to DNA evidence New York Post1w+Ted Bundy connected to 1974 murder of 17-year-old girl in Utah by DNA evidence: police Newsmax1w+Utah Connects Ted Bundy to Another 1970s Homicide Washington Examiner1w+Utah officials tie Ted Bundy to 1974 murder of 17-year-old Melissa Smith

What’s next: The sheriff and county attorney are expected to present the investigation and its findings.

Is the victim Melissa Ann Smith, or someone else?
What evidence led officials to their conclusion, and was DNA involved in this case?
How many of Bundy's final confessions remain unconfirmed?