DNA Links 1974 Utah Teen Death to Serial Killer Bundy

Authorities say new forensic evidence solves decades-old cold case.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 12:58pm

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Authorities in Salt Lake City announced that new DNA testing has conclusively tied the unsolved 1974 death of a Utah teenager to the notorious serial killer Ted Bundy. The breakthrough in the decades-old cold case comes after advancements in forensic science allowed investigators to re-examine evidence from the original crime scene.

Why it matters

Bundy is one of America's most infamous serial killers, responsible for the murders of dozens of young women and girls across multiple states in the 1970s. Linking him to this previously unsolved case in Utah provides closure for the victim's family and helps fill in gaps in the timeline of Bundy's deadly spree.

The details

The victim, a 17-year-old girl, was found dead in a remote area outside Salt Lake City in 1974. Authorities at the time were unable to determine the cause of death or identify a suspect. But new DNA analysis of evidence from the original crime scene has now conclusively matched the sample to Ted Bundy, who was executed in 1989 for a series of high-profile murders.

  • The victim's body was discovered in a remote area outside Salt Lake City in July 1974.
  • Authorities reopened the cold case in 2022 and sent evidence for advanced DNA testing.
  • The DNA match to Ted Bundy was confirmed by investigators on April 1, 2026.

The players

Ted Bundy

One of America's most notorious serial killers, responsible for the murders of dozens of young women and girls across multiple states in the 1970s. Bundy was executed in 1989.

Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office

The local law enforcement agency that investigated the 1974 cold case and announced the DNA match to Ted Bundy.

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What they’re saying

“This is a significant development that provides long-awaited answers and closure for the victim's family after nearly 50 years.”

— Sheriff Mike Brown, Salt Lake County Sheriff

What’s next

Authorities say they will continue to investigate whether Bundy may have been responsible for any other unsolved murders in the Utah area during that time period.

The takeaway

The breakthrough in this decades-old cold case highlights the power of advancing DNA technology to solve even the most challenging criminal investigations, even long after the original crime was committed.