DNA Evidence Links Ted Bundy to More Victims

Criminologist believes serial killer may have murdered over 100 people, far more than his confessed count of 36 victims.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 4:25pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of a tattered piece of fabric, its rough texture and dark shadows dramatically illuminated by a harsh camera flash, conceptually representing the physical evidence that may reveal the full extent of serial killer Ted Bundy's crimes.As the true scale of Ted Bundy's crimes comes to light, a stark forensic photograph highlights the grim physical evidence that may hold the key to uncovering more of his victims.Raiford Today

New DNA evidence has confirmed that notorious serial killer Ted Bundy was responsible for the 1974 disappearance and death of 17-year-old Laura Ann Aime in Utah, an additional crime beyond the 36 murders he had previously confessed to. An Iowa State criminologist now believes Bundy may have killed over 100 people, far more than his official victim count, citing his early signs of psychopathy and the ease with which he evaded detection during the 1970s.

Why it matters

The revelation that Bundy may have killed dozens more people than previously known raises disturbing questions about the true scale of his crimes and the ability of law enforcement at the time to track down and stop serial killers. It also highlights the importance of advances in forensic science, like DNA evidence, in solving cold cases and uncovering the full scope of notorious criminals' activities.

The details

In April 2026, DNA evidence helped confirm that Bundy was responsible for the 1974 disappearance and death of 17-year-old Laura Ann Aime in Utah. Bundy reportedly confessed to the killing the night before his execution in 1989. However, criminologist Matt DeLisi of Iowa State University believes Bundy's actual victim count may exceed 100, citing the killer's early signs of psychopathy and the ease with which he evaded detection during his murder spree from 1974 to 1978. DeLisi argues that Bundy's 'pacing and confidence' in killing during that period indicates he had been active for years before his official crimes.

  • In April 2026, DNA evidence linked Bundy to the 1974 killing of Laura Ann Aime.
  • Bundy confessed to 36 murders before his execution in 1989.

The players

Ted Bundy

One of America's most notorious serial killers, who confessed to 36 murders but is believed to have killed over 100 people, starting in his adolescence.

Matt DeLisi

An Iowa State criminologist and distinguished professor who has written extensively on violent criminals, including Bundy, and believes the serial killer's true victim count far exceeds his confessed crimes.

Sheriff Mike Smith

The sheriff who announced the closure of the Laura Ann Aime case thanks to new forensic techniques.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Bundy drops a lot of clues that there were way more murders than the official victim count of around 30 young women and girls. And the pacing and confidence with which he's killing between 1974 and 1978 indicates there's no way he could have just started. To me, it really reflects someone who had been doing this for years.”

— Matt DeLisi, Criminologist, Iowa State University

“Fortunately, we have had new forensics techniques become available through our partnership with the Utah Department of Public Safety crime lab that made the closure of this case possible.”

— Sheriff Mike Smith

What’s next

The new revelations about Bundy's potential victim count are likely to spur further investigations into unsolved cold cases that may be linked to the serial killer.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of advances in forensic science, like DNA evidence, in uncovering the full scope of notorious criminals' activities, as well as the challenges law enforcement faced in the 1970s in tracking down and stopping serial killers like Bundy.