New DNA Evidence Links Notorious Serial Killer to 1974 Utah Murder

Authorities say breakthrough provides conclusive proof of Ted Bundy's involvement in teen's killing.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 1:10pm

New DNA testing has definitively linked notorious serial killer Ted Bundy to the 1974 murder of 17-year-old Laura Ann Aime in Utah. Aime's body was discovered weeks after her disappearance, showing signs of severe violence. While Bundy had previously admitted to the crime, officials lacked physical evidence to formally close the case until now.

Why it matters

The resolution of this decades-old cold case through advances in forensic science provides closure for the victim's family and highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to use modern technology to solve historic crimes linked to serial killers like Bundy, who is believed to have killed dozens of young women across several states.

The details

Investigators recently re-examined biological evidence collected from the crime scene in 1974 and were able to develop a DNA profile that matched Bundy through a national database. Officials described this as conclusive proof of Bundy's involvement, even though he had previously admitted to the killing before his execution in 1989.

  • Laura Ann Aime disappeared on Halloween night in 1974.
  • Aime's body was discovered weeks later in American Fork Canyon.
  • Bundy was executed in Florida in 1989.

The players

Ted Bundy

A notorious serial killer who was executed in 1989 and is believed to have killed dozens of young women across several states during the 1970s.

Laura Ann Aime

A 17-year-old Utah teen who was murdered in 1974, with her body showing signs of severe violence.

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What’s next

Investigators indicated they will continue reviewing unsolved cases for possible links to Bundy, noting that preserved evidence and evolving DNA technology may help answer lingering questions tied to his crimes.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of preserving evidence and the ongoing advancements in forensic science that can help solve even the oldest cold cases, providing closure for victims' families and shedding light on the full scope of a serial killer's crimes.