DNA Confirms Ted Bundy Killed Utah Teen

Newly analyzed evidence provides irrefutable proof of serial killer's involvement in 1974 murder.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 1:30am

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Investigators in Utah have confirmed through DNA evidence that serial killer Ted Bundy was responsible for the 1974 murder of 17-year-old Laura Ann Aime. Aime's body was found a month after she went missing on Halloween, and Bundy had long been suspected in the case, but he was never charged. Newly acquired forensic technology allowed authorities to extract a full DNA profile of Bundy from old evidence, definitively linking him to the crime.

Why it matters

This case closure provides the Aime family with long-awaited confirmation of what they had already believed, while also giving investigators a complete DNA profile of Bundy that could help resolve other unsolved cases linked to the notorious serial killer.

The details

Hikers found the naked, bound, and badly beaten body of Laura Ann Aime in American Fork Canyon a month after she went missing on Halloween 1974. Bundy had confessed to Aime's murder just before his execution in 1989, but he was never charged in the case. Newly acquired forensic technology allowed authorities to separate out a male DNA profile from old evidence, which matched Bundy through a national database and a Florida crime lab. Investigators say the "full DNA profile of Ted Bundy" they now have could help other agencies resolve additional cases connected to the serial killer.

  • On Halloween 1974, 17-year-old Laura Ann Aime went missing.
  • A month later, her body was found in American Fork Canyon.
  • In 1989, just before his execution, Bundy confessed to Aime's murder.
  • In 2026, DNA evidence conclusively linked Bundy to Aime's killing.

The players

Ted Bundy

A notorious American serial killer who confessed to murdering over 30 women and girls, including several in Utah.

Laura Ann Aime

A 17-year-old Utah resident who was murdered by Ted Bundy in 1974.

Michelle Impala

The sister of Laura Ann Aime, who was 12 years old when her sister was killed.

Mike Smith

The Utah County Sheriff who announced the case closure.

Mike Reynolds

A Utah County sheriff's sergeant who spoke about the impact of the case on the community.

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What they’re saying

“This case is now officially closed.”

— Mike Smith, Utah County Sheriff

“The results were magnificent as they confirmed irrefutably that DNA evidence recovered from Laura's body verified the existence of DNA belonging to Bundy.”

— Utah County Sheriff's Office

“Laura Aime is the quintessential daughter of Utah County. We felt the pain the family feels when she was taken. We felt the pain that you felt this whole entire time, and we've had the desire to deliver to you some type of healing, we can't really say closure.”

— Mike Reynolds, Utah County Sheriff's Sergeant

“It's really quite amazing that people even are still interested in Laura's case.”

— Michelle Impala, Laura Aime's Sister

What’s next

Investigators say the full DNA profile of Ted Bundy they now have could help other agencies resolve additional unsolved cases linked to the serial killer.

The takeaway

This case closure provides long-awaited confirmation for the Aime family and gives authorities a valuable forensic tool to potentially solve other crimes connected to Ted Bundy, one of America's most notorious serial killers.