The name “Ted Bundy” is one that is very well-recognized in the United States, and now, the world. As one of America’s most notorious serial killers—active between 1973 and 1978—Bundy killed over 30 young women and a 12-year-old girl.
He was nicknamed the “Jack the Ripper” of the United States. Although he was sentenced to death in 1989, Bundy still lurks in the minds of the modern-day population. Why?
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Bundy’s story should be told. Not necessarily as a cinematic experience, but as a warning and a case study.” – Abi Lynch, second-year journalism and human rights
One reason for Bundy’s legacy lurking in today’s culture is the Netflix documentary series, The Ted Bundy Tapes: Conversations with a Killer. The series was released on the 20th anniversary of Bundy’s execution, Jan. 24, and provides insight into Bundy’s perspective on his crimes.
The Bundy tapes consist of videos, photos, and tape recordings of interviews from his time on death row. The tapes cover everything from his childhood to his trial and the day of his death.
They feature stories and opinions from a survivor of his crimes, as well as coworkers, a childhood friend, a legal team, and two journalists who wrote a book using the recordings featured in the series.
Bundy’s story should be told. Not necessarily as a cinematic experience, but as a warning and a case study. Bundy is one of America’s most well-known serial killers who targeted young women.
Although Bundy confessed to killing over 30 women, experts estimate it is likely closer to 100 women.
Another reason for attention being paid to Bundy could be the upcoming movie starring Zac Efron as Bundy—Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. The movie debuted at the Sundance Film Festival in January.
Following the debut, the fact that Efron played the infamous killer led to a public uproar—saying that the film director was overly sexualizing and romanticizing Bundy and his crimes.
In the trailer, Bundy’s story is portrayed as a romance with Liz Kendall, played by Lily Collins.
The trailer focuses more on that storyline, rather than on the actual reason why Bundy’s name made the history books: murder. It shows the lighter side of Bundy—the family man and husband—rather than convicted murderer and necrophiliac.
He got the attention of his victims—all young, pretty women with dark hair parted in the middle—by faking an injury and asking them to help him.
Once he had the women alone, he hit them in the head with a crowbar, knocking them unconscious, and stuffed their bodies into his car. He would strangle them while they were unconscious.
Bundy was executed in Old Sparky, an electric chair, in Florida on Jan. 24, 1989, by an executioner rumoured to be female.
Shining a romantic light on a man who murdered over 30 women in cold blood gives viewers a more positive view of Bundy—rather than the negative and horrifying one that currently surrounds his name.
Romanticizing such a terrible man has the potential to re-traumatize his victims’ families, as well as those whom he knew during his life, including his daughter.
Bundy was an extremely disturbed man who left his mark on history. Bundy has been quoted saying: “We serial killers are your sons, we are your husbands, we are everywhere. And there will be more of your children dead tomorrow.”
How can we continue to give this man more opportunity to torment his victims’ families from beyond the grave—reminding them that he took their daughters’ lives and defiled them in the most horrendous way?
