Going West: True Crime
Episode 533 – Ann Marie Burr // Released August 29, 2025
Hosts: Daphne Woolsoncroft & Heath Merryman
Overview:
This episode of Going West revisits the haunting 1961 disappearance of eight-year-old Ann Marie Burr from Tacoma, Washington. Daphne and Heath retell the eerie circumstances of her abduction, the massive and ultimately fruitless investigation, and the chilling theory that links Ann Marie’s fate to a young Ted Bundy—potentially marking his first victim. The hosts dig into both evidence and speculation, layering in expert commentary and family perspectives to examine whether one of America’s most notorious serial killers might have begun his murderous spree earlier than history records.
Main Discussion Points
1. The Night Ann Marie Burr Disappeared
- Timeline and Family Circumstances:
- On a stormy night, August 30-31, 1961, Ann Marie (8) vanished from her Tacoma home ([02:26]).
- Ann Marie lived with parents Beverly and Donald Burr and several siblings (not including Laura, who was adopted later).
- The family had carefully secured their house against the rain and went to bed expecting nothing out of the ordinary ([05:09]).
- Discovery of Her Disappearance:
- Around 5:15am, her mother Beverly was woken up by Ann Marie’s younger sister, only to discover the child’s bed empty and undisturbed ([06:04]).
- Alarming clues: a window wrenched open, unlocked and open front door, and muddy footprints outside ([08:39]).
- A wicker bench from the backyard was positioned below the window—apparently used as a step ([09:07]).
- Evidence & Immediate Response:
- Footprint and partial handprint suggested the perpetrator was the size of a teenage boy or a small man ([09:47]).
- Family dog had barked during the night ([10:07]).
- Massive search effort: nearly 200 searchers on day one, 800 by the weekend—soldiers, police, volunteers ([11:01]).
- No ransom note, belongings, or direct evidence of Ann Marie ever surfaced ([10:07]).
2. Investigation and Dead Ends
- Thorough Search:
- Law enforcement’s rapid, large-scale response impresses, but ultimately yields “a handful of nothing” ([15:43]).
- Construction sites, including nearby University of Puget Sound, searched upon father’s suggestion—but possibly too late as pits were already filled ([13:01]).
- Family Reflections:
- Beverly Burr's instinct was that Ann Marie was dead from the start:
- “It came to me just like that. It was a strong feeling when they were searching. I thought, what’s the point?” – Beverly Burr ([16:05]).
- Beverly blamed herself for not allowing Ann Marie to stay at a friend’s house that night, though the hosts reflect this may not have changed the outcome ([16:07]).
- Beverly Burr's instinct was that Ann Marie was dead from the start:
- No Sightings or Solid Leads:
- Investigation included 200 polygraph tests and over 1,500 interviews in the first 12 days ([18:37]).
- Rumors of a peeping Tom, but no detailed description gathered ([19:46]).
- False confessions and wild-goose-chase tips, but no real suspect ([19:44]).
3. Ted Bundy as a Suspect
- Proximity and Possible Connection:
- Bundy lived close to the Burr home as a teen (3 miles away, with his uncle even closer—one block) ([23:25]).
- Reports he and Ann Marie played in the same groups; Ann sometimes helped him with his paper route ([23:25], [23:35]).
- Bundy’s Early Behavioral Issues:
- As a child, Bundy was described as abusive to animals, a bully, and involved in disturbing behaviors (e.g., hiding knives to injure relatives) ([30:46]).
- “From a young age, according to his aunt, from the age of three years old, Ted delighted in hiding knives in her bed…” – Daphne ([30:59]).
- Expert Perspectives & Supporting Evidence:
- Criminologist Matt DeLisi:
- “The pacing and confidence with which [Bundy’s] killing...indicates that there’s no way he could have just started. To me, it really reflects someone who’s been doing this for years.” ([27:05])
- Footprints at the crime scene matched a teen boy’s size ([09:47], [27:00]).
- Criminologist Matt DeLisi:
- Sandy Holt, neighbor, advocated Bundy’s disturbing behavior as a teen:
- “He would go by [if] someone had their laundry hanging out. He would touch all the women’s garments as he walked by.” ([41:58])
- Sandy recalled Bundy grabbing her, possibly to abduct her, before her brother intervened ([42:59]).
4. Correspondence—The Burr Family Confronts Bundy
- Heart-wrenching Letter:
- In 1986, Beverly Burr wrote to Ted Bundy in prison, pleading for the truth ([33:31]).
- Quote:
- “I feel your first murder was our Ann Marie Burr...The orchard next door was a dark setting for murder. What did you do with the tiny body?” – Beverly Burr ([33:31])
- Bundy’s Response:
- Denied involvement:
- “At the time, I was a normal 14-year-old boy...I had absolutely no desire to harm anyone.” – Ted Bundy ([34:19])
- Yet, later, Bundy told author Rebecca Morris a “hypothetical” story about abducting and killing a child, hiding her in an orchard and a ditch—eerily matching the Burr case’s circumstances ([36:16]).
- “He said, your first crime is very special, and you don’t talk about it, and you keep it close to you.” – Rebecca Morris ([36:16])
- Denied involvement:
- Final Days and Confessions:
- To another criminologist, Ron Holmes, Bundy “admitted” (in vague terms) to killing a girl aged 12–15 around 1960, describing disposal near the university ([43:54]).
- Speculation Versus Certainty:
- Hosts and interview subjects debate the reliability of Bundy’s statements and the possibility of details being “planted” by Beverly’s letter ([39:05]).
- Key detail: easy walking access from Burr home to orchard to construction site, matching Bundy’s possible capabilities at 14 ([41:02]).
5. Aftermath and Legacy
- Family’s Enduring Grief and Lacking Closure:
- The Burr family never recovered Ann Marie or got solid closure, despite ongoing community and police efforts ([19:44], [45:43]).
- Memorial tree planted nearly 40 years later; parents never gave up hope, but family made peace ([46:05]).
- “I don’t need closure. My mom and dad are in heaven with her. That’s all I needed.” – Greg Burr ([46:17])
- Physical Description:
- Ann Marie was barefoot, in a white-and-blue nightgown, with religious pendants and a silver ID bracelet, none of which were found ([47:18]).
- Community Impact:
- Example of a landmark case haunting a city and remaining unsolved for decades, possibly linking to notorious future crimes.
Notable Quotes & Moments
- On Evidence of Abduction:
- “The handprint and the footprint that were found, they were small, like maybe the size of a teenage boy…” – Heath ([09:47])
- On the Family’s Gut Feeling:
- “It came to me just like that. It was a strong feeling when they were searching, I thought, what’s the point?” – Beverly Burr ([16:05])
- On Bundy’s Behavior as a Child:
- “He delighted in hiding knives in her bed in hopes that she would cut herself.” – Daphne ([30:59])
- On Bundy’s Conflicting Statements:
- “He contradicts himself a lot in interviews.” – Heath ([29:54])
- From Bundy’s Letter:
- “At the time, I was a normal 14-year-old boy...I had nothing to do with her disappearance.” – Ted Bundy ([34:19])
- On Bundy’s Hypothetical Confession:
- “He said, your first crime is very special and you don’t talk about it and you keep it close to you. I think he did it. I do.” – Rebecca Morris ([36:16])
- On Family Grief:
- “I never cry because I’ll never quit.” – Beverly Burr ([46:05])
- Sibling Support:
- “You gathered strength and provided us with a wonderful childhood.” – Julie Burr ([46:09])
- Sibling Closure:
- “I don’t need closure. My mom and dad are in heaven with her. That’s all I needed.” – Greg Burr ([46:17])
Timestamps for Key Segments
- [02:26] – The night of Ann Marie's disappearance and family background
- [06:04] – Discovery of Ann Marie missing and initial clues
- [11:01] – Community search, police, and volunteer involvement
- [13:01] – Construction site theory and search failures
- [15:43] – Police belief she's dead; family reflections
- [19:44] – Unproductive leads, false confessions, and polygraph tests
- [23:25] – Introduction of Ted Bundy as a suspect, background, and neighborhood ties
- [27:05] – Criminologist DeLisi on Bundy’s early violence and likelihood of prior crimes
- [30:59] – Bundy’s disturbing childhood behaviors
- [33:31] – Beverly Burr's letter to Ted Bundy
- [34:19] – Bundy’s reply denying involvement
- [36:16] – Rebecca Morris on Bundy’s “hypothetical” child victim
- [41:02] – Bundy's possible access and method for the crime
- [41:58] – Sandy Holt’s account of Bundy’s teenage deviancy
- [43:54] – Criminologist Ron Holmes on Bundy's near-confession
- [46:05] – Family’s long-term experience and memorial for Ann Marie
- [47:18] – Final details about Ann Marie’s description and missing items
Tone & Final Thoughts
Daphne and Heath maintain a respectful, empathetic tone throughout, calling out the horror, heartbreak, and lingering mysteries of the Burr case. The discussion is careful not to sensationalize, instead weighing evidence thoughtfully and highlighting the ongoing pain for the Burr family. They express both fascination and caution regarding the Bundy theory, ultimately leaving it to the audience to draw their own conclusions.
Resource Links
- Crime Stoppers of Tacoma: 1-800-222-TIPS
“The whole Ted Bundy angle seems like it could have been outlandish or far-fetched, but I'd really love to know what you guys think about this case. Do you believe that Ted Bundy was responsible?” – Heath ([48:22])