Ted Bundy Pt. 2

Summary

Summary of "Ted Bundy Pt. 2" Episode from Mind of a Serial Killer

Mind of a Serial Killer, hosted by Vanessa Richardson and Dr. Tristan Angles, delves deep into the psyche of one of history's most infamous serial killers: Ted Bundy. In the second and final episode of their two-part series on Bundy, the hosts explore the escalation of his crimes, the investigative efforts that led to his capture, his manipulative interactions during trials, and the psychological factors that fueled his murderous spree.

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1. Escalation of Crimes and Psychological Decline

The episode picks up from where the first left off, highlighting how Ted Bundy’s initial ability to maintain a charming façade began to crumble as his violent impulses intensified.

• Relationship Strain: Bundy's long-term girlfriend, Elizabeth Klepfer, begins to notice troubling changes in his behavior by mid-1974. He becomes moody, irritable, and exhibits increasingly violent tendencies in their intimate relationship. Bundy pushes Elizabeth into more extreme acts, such as choking her without prior discussion, leading her to end their relationship ([05:10] Vanessa Richardson).

• Dr. Tristan Angles’ Insight: Dr. Angles explains Bundy’s transition into sexual sadism, a condition where individuals derive arousal from inflicting pain and suffering. He connects Bundy’s narcissistic and psychopathic traits to his escalating need for stimulation, stating, “Psychopaths have a need for stimulation, and they are consistently seeking thrills in different ways” ([06:44]).

• Addictive Behavior: Bundy’s killings mirror patterns akin to addiction, where each act of violence requires greater intensity to achieve the same psychological high. Dr. Angles notes, “It's like a drug addiction, like he has to keep leveling up, like he needs more and more to get that same high” ([07:59] Vanessa Richardson).

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2. Investigation and Growing Suspicion

As Bundy's crimes continue, law enforcement agencies begin to connect the dots, but initial suspicions remain low due to his unblemished reputation.

• Double Murder at Lake Sammamish: On July 14, 1974, Bundy commits double murders in a public setting, abducting Janice Ott and Denise Nasland. Despite the brutality, his charm allows him to maintain a spotless persona temporarily ([08:10] Vanessa Richardson).

• Elizabeth’s Suspicions: Elizabeth Klepfer becomes increasingly alarmed as the police release Bundy’s composite sketch. She struggles to reconcile the image of the man she knows with the serial killer described in the reports. Ultimately, she makes an anonymous call to the Seattle PD, urging them to investigate Bundy further ([18:26] Vanessa Richardson).

• Police Database Efforts: Local authorities, overwhelmed with tips, create one of the first databases to cross-reference suspects. Bundy appears on multiple lists but remains low-priority due to his lack of a criminal record and good reputation ([12:04] Vanessa Richardson).

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3. Arrests, Trials, and Manipulative Escapes

Bundy's encounters with law enforcement become more frequent and increasingly elaborate as he continues his killing spree.

• Initial Arrest: On August 16, 1975, Bundy is pulled over by a highway patrol officer in Salt Lake City. Despite his calm demeanor, suspicious items found in his car—such as a ski mask, gloves, and handcuffs—arouse investigators' interest. However, insufficient evidence initially leads to his release ([20:03] E: Advertisement skipped).

• Re-engagement with Elizabeth: After his release, Bundy returns to his relationship with Elizabeth, manipulating her into maintaining contact despite growing evidence against him. His inability to control his violent urges leads to further murders in Utah and Colorado, exacerbating his psychological instability ([25:21] Vanessa Richardson).

• Second Arrest and Escape Attempt: Bundy is arrested again in October 1975 after attempting to kidnap Carol Duronch. During his time in Aspen Prison, he leverages his legal knowledge to manipulate the system, securing privileges that facilitate his eventual escape on June 7, 1977. Bundy’s escape underscores his cunning and relentless pursuit of his violent impulses ([32:03] Vanessa Richardson).

• Final Capture: After a deadly spree that includes the murders of Margaret Bowman and Lisa Janet Levy in a Florida sorority house, Bundy's reckless behavior leads to his final arrest on February 15, 1978, by Officer David David Lee in Pensacola, Florida. Bundy's capture marks the end of his violent rampage but not the unraveling of his complex psychological makeup ([48:02] Dr. Tristan Angles).

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4. Psychological Analysis and Manipulative Tactics

Throughout the episode, Dr. Tristan Angles provides a profound analysis of Bundy's psychological state, shedding light on the traits that made Bundy both charming and deadly.

• Narcissism and Control: Dr. Angles emphasizes Bundy's narcissistic tendencies, noting his need to control every aspect of his interactions to maintain his self-image. Bundy's manipulative nature is evident in his relationships and his legal strategies during trials ([30:10] Vanessa Richardson).

• Lack of Genuine Emotion: Despite his seemingly affectionate relationship with Elizabeth and Carol Boone, Bundy's capacity for genuine love is nonexistent. Dr. Angles asserts, “Everything is for his pure self-interest,” highlighting Bundy's inability to form sincere emotional connections ([30:56] Dr. Tristan Angles).

• Superficial Charm as a Tool: Bundy's charm is a deliberate tool used to disarm and manipulate those around him. His ability to maintain a respectable façade allows him to evade suspicion for a significant period, as explained by Dr. Angles: “He continues to use that superficial charm and that glibness to disarm the people around him” ([42:31] Vanessa Richardson).

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5. Trials, Media Manipulation, and Final Days

Bundy's trials were as much about his manipulation of public perception as they were about his legal battles.

• Legal Maneuvering: Bundy’s decision to represent himself in court allowed him to control the narrative, presenting himself as charming and intelligent. His manipulative tactics extended to leveraging relationships, as seen when Carol Boone falsely married him in court to bolster his image ([51:25] Dr. Tristan Angles).

• Media Presence: The trials were heavily covered by the media, turning Bundy into a figure of public fascination. Despite his manipulations, Bundy's behavior during trials only served to solidify his reputation as a serial killer ([52:09] Vanessa Richardson).

• Execution and Legacy: Bundy was ultimately sentenced to death and executed on January 24, 1989. His complex personality, blending superficial charm with deep-seated malevolence, continues to be a subject of psychological study and public intrigue. Dr. Angles reflects on Bundy's lack of genuine connection: “He is not doing this to genuinely know someone or make any sincere relationships because he's not capable of that” ([54:20] Vanessa Richardson).

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6. Conclusion: The Duality of Bundy's Persona

Ted Bundy's life encapsulates the terrifying duality of human nature—his outward appearance as a charming, intelligent individual starkly contrasting with his hidden capacity for extreme violence and manipulation. The episode concludes by emphasizing how Bundy's meticulous crafting of his persona allowed him to deceive and exploit those around him, ultimately leading to his downfall.

Vanessa Richardson encapsulates this duality: “He posed as an injured, helpless man as a way to take his targets by surprise. Ted Bundy spent his life crafting a persona that was attractive and charming, but the true Ted Bundy was a coward and a liar without any real conscience” ([55:50] Vanessa Richardson).

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Notable Quotes:

• "Psychopaths have a need for stimulation, and they are consistently seeking thrills in different ways." — Dr. Tristan Angles ([06:44])

• "It's like a drug addiction, like he has to keep leveling up, like he needs more and more to get that same high." — Vanessa Richardson ([07:59])

• "Everything is for his pure self-interest." — Dr. Tristan Angles ([30:52])

• "He continues to use that superficial charm and that glibness to disarm the people around him." — Dr. Tristan Angles ([42:31])

• "Ted Bundy spent his life crafting a persona that was attractive and charming, but the true Ted Bundy was a coward and a liar without any real conscience." — Vanessa Richardson ([55:50])

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Final Thoughts:

The episode provides a comprehensive look into Ted Bundy's manipulative techniques, psychological makeup, and the catastrophic consequences of his actions. Through engaging storytelling and expert analysis, Mind of a Serial Killer not only recounts Bundy's horrific crimes but also seeks to understand the dark forces within his mind that drove him to such extremes. For those seeking to grasp the complexities of one of the most notorious serial killers, this episode serves as a compelling and informative exploration.

Transcript

[Vanessa Richardson]

This is Crime House. We'd all like to live up to the phrase, don't judge a book by its cover, but it's definitely not easy. In fact, research shows we're more likely to trust someone we're attracted to. Still, looks can be deceiving. That was especially true when it came to Ted Bundy. Most people would say Ted was conventionally attractive. He was charming, friendly and approachable. People couldn't help but trust him, and he knew it. Ted weaponized his charisma to deceive, manipulate and kill. And by the time people discovered Ted Bundy's true nature, it was too late. The human mind is fascinating. It controls how we think, how we feel, how we love, and how we hate. And sometimes the mind drives us to do something truly unspeakable. This is Mind of a Serial Killer, a Crime House original. Every Monday we'll be taking deep dives into the minds of history's most notorious serial killers and violent offenders. And for more true crime stories that all happened this week in History, check out Crime the Show. Each episode covers multiple cases unified by the same theme. So every week you get something a little different. At Crime House, we want to express our gratitude to you, our community, for making this possible. Please support us by rating, reviewing and following. Mind of a Serial Killer. Wherever you get your podcasts, your feedback truly matters. And to enhance your mind of a serial killer listening experience, subscribe to Crime House plus on Apple Podcasts. You'll get every episode ad free. And instead of having to wait for each episode of a two part series, you'll get access to both at once, plus exciting bonus content. I'm Vanessa Richardson.

[Dr. Tristan Angles]

And I'm Dr. Tristan Angles. As Vanessa takes you through our subjects stories, I'll be helping her dive into these killers minds as we try to understand how someone can do such horrible things.

[Vanessa Richardson]

Before we get into the story, you should know it contains descriptions of murder and violent crime. Listener discretion is advised. This is our second and final of two episodes on Ted Bundy, one of the most notorious serial killers of all time. Between 1974 and 1978, Ted used his good looks and charisma to murder at least 30 young women. Last time we covered Ted's early life and the terrifying circumstances that led to his brutal killing spree across the Pacific Northwest. Today we'll follow the investigation that landed Ted Bundy in jail, the daring escapes that baffled investigators, and his final horrific murders. And as always, we'll be asking the question, what makes a serial killer? Hi there, it's Vanessa. If you're loving mind of a serial killer. You won't want to miss my new show, Crime True Crime Stories. Every Monday I take you on an in depth journey journey through two of the most notorious true crime cases from that week in history, all connected by a common theme. From notorious serial killers and mysterious disappearances to unsolved murders and more. Follow Crime House True Crime Stories now wherever you get your podcasts. And for ad free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House plus on Apple Podcasts.

[C]

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[Vanessa Richardson]

Ted Bundy spent his life preparing to become a serial killer. Overcome with feelings of inadequacy and rage, Ted slowly morphed into something monstrous and evil. He satisfied his dark impulses by preying on young women on college campuses throughout the Pacific Northwest. And By July of 1974, 28 year old Ted had crafted a spotless Persona that served as the perfect alibi. But that facade was starting to crumble. No one noticed it more than his long term girlfriend, Elizabeth Klepfer. Throughout their five year relationship, she'd supported Ted as he went back to school and tried to make something of himself in return. He made sure he was a wonderful partner to Elizabeth and a great father figure to her young daughter, Molly. But by the summer of 1974, things had changed. Ted was less dependable than he used to be and was acting moody and irritable. On top of that, his desires in the bedroom had taken a dark turn around around the beginning of the year, which coincided with Ted's first murder, he'd started pushing Elizabeth to perform more extreme acts in bed. She initially agreed to let him tie her up with nylon stockings. But she became terrified when Ted started choking her. They had not discussed that beforehand. She ended up kicking him out of bed.

[Dr. Tristan Angles]

We talked a little bit about this in episode one with regard to the voyeurism and the signs that sexual sadism was shown itself. And we're really starting to see that progression of sexual sadism here. And that is the sexual arousal from inflicting pain, suffering, or humiliation onto others. There is a correlation with sexual sadism and individuals who go on to rape or murder, though that still only comprises a small percentage of individuals who are diagnosed with sexual sadism. But since Ted also exhibits signs of narcissism and psychopathy, it's unsurprising to see these changes in sexual behavior. Psychopaths have a need for stimulation, and they are consistently seeking thrills in different ways. They also have deficits in impulse control, which we have seen with his kleptomania, for example, and kleptomania is classified as an impulse control disorder. Until this point, Ted has been consistently hunting and killing each month, which means he is getting stimulation and thrill in very intense and violent ways. And it was only a matter of time that this begins to show itself in his own relationship.

[Vanessa Richardson]

It feels like a drug addiction, like he has to keep leveling up, like he needs more and more to get that same high.

[Dr. Tristan Angles]

Yeah, absolutely. And I will talk a little bit more about that later in the episode.

[Vanessa Richardson]

By mid July, it had been a little over a month since Ted's last kill. Until this point, he'd committed his crimes under the COVID of night, abducting his victims when nobody was there to see it. But now Ted was ready to take things a step further. On July 14, 1974, he. He decided to strike in the middle of the afternoon and in a massive crowd.

[Dr. Tristan Angles]

This also is more evidence that his threshold that we were talking about for stimulation has increased. And he is seeking more stimulation and more thrill as a result.

[Vanessa Richardson]

That day, he drove down to Lake Sammamish, a 500 acre waterfront state park about 15 miles from Seattle. Dressed in a bright white tennis shirt complemented with a fake sling around his arm, he walked up and down the shoreline searching for victims. For his plan to work, he needed to convince someone to get in his tan Volkswagen Beetle. So he came up with a cover story that he needed help picking up a sailboat at his parents place nearby. He tried a few times without any luck, but eventually, he managed to win over 23 year old Janice Ott. She was a free spirited bohemian type and agreed to help Ted out if he gave her a ride on the boat. Of course, there was no boat. After getting into Ted's car, Janice was never seen again. But one victim wasn't enough for him. After kidnapping Janice, Ted came back to the lake later that day where he successfully used the Same story on 19 year old Denise Nasland. The double murder seemed to satisfy Ted's lust for violence. Later that day, he took Elizabeth out to dinner and stayed over at her place. He seemed tired, but other than that, he acted like he was back to normal. The line between Ted the serial killer and Ted the loving boyfriend had been restored.

[Dr. Tristan Angles]

Serial killers get some kind of psychological or sexual gratification from their killings. And in Ted's case, it's arguably both of those things. And that need for gratification can cause intense psychological pressure like he described. So after they experience the gratification, they subsequently experience a reduction in tension and anger or anxiety. And that's why it appears for the moment that Ted is now the loving boyfriend that has been restored.

[Vanessa Richardson]

So we were just talking about how this is something like an addiction. It seems like Ted had to escalate each time to feel that same rush. Is there ever a point where it's not enough?

[Dr. Tristan Angles]

Let's talk about the first part. Yes, it is very similar to an addiction in that the more that they do this, the more the desire escalates and their tolerance goes up, meaning the more they need to do. Which is why we are seeing that Ted had victimized two women in one day. It's also similar to a compulsion where in order to alleviate intense feelings like the distress he talked about that rage or that built up tension, they have to act on their desires. But to be clear, this is not the same as obscure obsessive compulsive disorder, which is a condition that affects millions of people. And if it was, we would see a lot more than 1% of the population meeting criteria for a serial killer. So please do not assume that people who have OCD are violent. But the reality is there is not a point where it's enough. They may slow down because of their age or physical limitations, but if or when that happens, they continue to live out that gratification through trophies or mementos, or even their memories, or in Ted's case, their personal relationships.

[Vanessa Richardson]

The inner peace Ted had gotten from these last murders didn't last long. Janice and Denise's friends quickly noticed they were Missing. Thankfully, the police connected their disappearances to the area's elusive serial killer. Investigators located the women Ted failed to lure in at the lake, and they were able to describe him and his Volkswagen Beetle to the police. Ted had even used his real first name to introduce himself. By the next morning, the story was all over the news, along with a composite sketch of Ted's face. Some people who knew Ted were able to make the connection. At some point that summer, one of his former professors called the authorities and described Ted as weird. And this professor wasn't the only one who realized there was something off about him. Ted's girlfriend, Elizabeth also connected the dots. She couldn't bring herself to fully believe that Ted. Ted was a serial killer. But she also couldn't deny how closely he matched the description of the man at the lake. Or that they drove the same car or had the same name. After agonizing over what to do, she decided to make an anonymous call to the Seattle PD encouraging them to look into Ted Bundy. It was enough to place Ted on a list of 100 potential suspects. But considering his good reputation and lack of a criminal record, he was basically at the bot bottom of it. The police's general lack of interest in him made Elizabeth feel like maybe she was being paranoid, and she let it go. For the time being. Ted had no idea she'd called the authorities, but he'd seen all the reports about his crimes at the lake. He decided to get out of town for a while and transferred to the University of Utah's law school in Salt Lake City for the fall semester. The move had been carefully planned. Elizabeth had family there, and even though she didn't move to Utah with him, it made sense that he'd go there. He'd been talking about it as a possibility for a while, and the decision didn't come as a surprise. So when he Left Seattle on September 2, 1974, Elizabeth didn't necessarily find it suspicious. After the murders at the lake, Ted knew he couldn't risk killing again. But once he got settled in at Salt Lake City, he felt like it was safe to go back on the hunt. Continuing his escalation from before, Ted murdered four more young women between October and the first week of November 1974. They were even younger and more vulnerable than his previous victims. One was just 16 years old, while the other three were 17. Ted tried to claim a fifth victim as well, an 18 year old girl named Carol Duronch. However, he failed to handcuff her properly, and she thankfully managed to escape by Jumping out of his moving car, Carol was able to give the police a description of the man who'd attacked her. And the authorities made the blood curdling realization. The killer from the Pacific Northwest was now in Utah. Unfortunately, they didn't have many leads to follow, but thankfully, the investigation back in Washington was making real progress. Two weeks earlier, on October 27, a group of hunters had stumbled upon the bodies of Janice Ott and Denise Nasland in the wilderness near Lake Sammamish. The scene was worse than anyone had feared. Evidence suggested the killer kept the women alive in the woods for several days while he sexually assaulted them and continued to do so even after they were dead. Before he killed them, he also routinely cleaned the bodies and applied fresh makeup. It seemed like the murderer treated the victims more like dolls than people.

[Dr. Tristan Angles]

Let's talk about the way he's treating his victims. Now, this is a serious form of sexual sadism because it does involve torture. This is. This is torturous for these women. And let's discuss why he did this. As we've covered in episode one, and it begs repeating, Ted has a fixation on appearances. And that started from a young age when he was taught the importance of image to cover up the fact that he was born out of wedlock and that it was acceptable to maintain whatever that image is through deception and lies. And when we think about Ted and the partners he has chosen, he was also looking at their image. Specifically, he's looking at whether they are affluent, if they're attractive, if they're successful or well connected in highly regarded social circles. This is by design, because if he is connected with them, then in his mind, he secures a similar image and it secures an identity, one that he hasn't been able to find on his own. That feeds into his narcissism, and it allows him to challenge that low sense of self worth he's had since he was young. He was so deeply wounded by the breakup of his first girlfriend because it was a loss of social status and a reinforcement of his own insecurities. When you described how he had routinely cleaned his victims and applied fresh makeup, I immediately think and feel that this is his attempt to make them presentable and make them worthy of him. They need to appear in the image of an attractive, successful and high status woman. When it comes to the psychology of necrophilia, people who engage in these behaviors suffer from low self esteem and consequently they fear rejection. This fits Ted quite well. So it's not surprising that he engaged in this. He does not handle rejection well and he has deep rooted self esteem deficits and insecurities. These acts allow him to control everything from their appearance to his access to them and the gratification he gets in torturing them. And more importantly, their inability to reject that.

[Vanessa Richardson]

Well, rightfully so. These reports terrified the nation. When Ted's girlfriend Elizabeth read the stories, her suspicions about him came roaring back. She called her local police in late October and then again in November. This time she gave them her name and explained that Ted was her boyfriend. But just like before, they didn't look into Ted too closely. Detectives were receiving hundreds of tips every day. Officers put in over 100 hours per week just fielding phone calls from distressed parents and curious journalists. At this point, they needed to prioritize suspects who seemed more likely to commit violent crime. The fact that the police weren't interested in her boyfriend comforted Elizabeth. She quieted the fears that kept her up at night. And they spent a happy Christmas together. But their happiness wouldn't last much longer. By the end of the next year, Elizabeth's fairy tale romance with Ted Bundy would come to a terrifying end.

[Dr. Tristan Angles]

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[Vanessa Richardson]

Yeah, no.

[Dr. Tristan Angles]

Carvana gave me an offer in minutes, picked it up and paid me on the spot. It was so convenient. Just like that. Yeah.

[C]

No hassle.

[Dr. Tristan Angles]

No, that is super convenient.

[C]

Sell your car to Carvana and swap hassle for convenience.

[Vanessa Richardson]

Pick up.

[E]

These may apply.

[Vanessa Richardson]

Hi there, it's Vanessa. If you're loving mind of a serial killer, you won't want to miss my new show, Crime True Crime Stories. Every Monday, I explore two of the most notorious true crime cases from that week in history, all linked by a common theme. From infamous serial killers and mysterious disappearances to unsolved murders, we're bringing you the defining events that shaped true crime both past and present. Each episode dives into the stories behind the headlines, featuring high profile cases from past and present, including the murder of Gabby Petito, the kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart, the Heaven's Gate cult tragedy, and so much more. Follow Crime House True Crime Stories now wherever you get your podcasts. And for ad free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House plus on Apple Podcasts.

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[Vanessa Richardson]

Shopify.com OdysseyPodcast By January 1975, 29 year old Ted Bundy had been murdering young women for a year straight, claiming at least 11 victims. For a while, he'd managed to avoid detection, but by the beginning of 1975, the authorities in Washington and Utah knew there was a serial killer on the loose. News of his brutal rampage made it harder for him to find suitable victims at his new home in Salt Lake City. People were on high alert about talking to strangers, and there were fewer hitchhikers looking for rides. With that in mind, Ted moved his hunting grounds again. In early 1975, he headed for the mountains of Colorado, where he blended in with the tourists at upscale ski resorts. Using the tactics he'd perfected over the previous year, Ted abducted and killed three young women between January and April. As the last snow in Colorado melted, he shifted gears again and cast an even wider net. His next two victims were slain in Idaho and Utah. By the end of June 1975, Ted Bundy had killed a staggering 17 young women over the span of 18 months.

[Dr. Tristan Angles]

Yeah, let's talk about just that level of violence. Ted continues to show that he is adaptable and cunning. He recognized that his access has been limited because women were becoming more cautious hitchhiking less and not as interactive with strangers. So what does he do? He finds another way to get access and he chooses a location that gives him an advantage. It's upscale, it's affluent, so women are likely assuming he is the same and are less likely to feel threatened by him. The reason that I believe that Ted was successful at disarming his victims and presenting as non threatening was because he used implicit biases and systemic racism to his advantage. Ted was a charming, conventionally attractive white male who is presenting to everyone around him somebody who is maybe wealthy and highly educated. People in higher socioeconomic circles who are white in particular, are raised to believe that stranger danger consists of lower class and black or people of color, not anyone with higher education, higher socioeconomic status, and certainly not a white male. The more and more success Ted has at manipulating others, the more it fuels his narcissism and his need for more stimulation. 17 victims, and he has not yet been caught, he's not been identified, and he's not yet been unsuccessful luring any potential victims. This just emboldens him even more. And it's also worth noting he is no longer living with Elizabeth and therefore does not have any accountability or oversight in the home.

[Vanessa Richardson]

Do you think Ted was desensitized to his crimes over time, making his later murders more brutal?

[Dr. Tristan Angles]

This is a really good question. Yes, in a sense. But I would characterize it as though he is habituated, and that's different because to become desensitized, that means someone's heightened response to a stimulus has returned back to a normal response. Whereas habituation occurs when a person's response to a stimulus decreases after repeated exposure. And that's what we're seeing with Ted. What he's been doing is not providing the same response as it once was. It's decreasing. So it's becoming increasingly ineffective because of the repeated exposure he's been having to these violent acts. And now he's requiring more extreme acts to achieve the same level of gratification and stimulation.

[Vanessa Richardson]

Back in Washington, the local authorities realized their current approach to the case wasn't working and looked for an unconventional way to sift through the mountains of tips they'd received. Using an old payroll computer, they built a primitive database to cross reference the victims with their classmates, known sex offenders, registered Volkswagen Beetle owners, anonymous tips, and more. The database was one of the first of its kind. Thousands of suspects were fed into the computer. Out of all the names, only 26 appeared on more than four lists, making them the prime suspects. One of them was Ted Bundy. But just like the last list he'd been on, it would take a while to get to him. While investigators dug through their latest findings, Ted was still on the hunt. In the early hours of August 16, 1975, the 29th year old cruised through a Salt Lake City suburb looking for his next victim. Around 2:30am Ted parked his Volkswagen on the side of the road and sparked up a joint. While he smoked in his car, a pair of headlights suddenly appeared in his rearview mirror. The lights startled Ted. Without thinking, he slammed on the gas and peeled out with his headlights off. That was the worst thing he could have done because the headlights belonged to a highway patrol car. The officer flicked on his siren and pursued Ted to a nearby gas station. He could smell the marijuana as he approached the suspect's car and expected to find a hysterical teenager inside. Instead, he met Ted Bundy, who looked disheveled but otherwise calm. Ted turned on the charm, apologizing for his reckless driving as he handed over his papers. But no amount of sweet talk could distract the officer when he read the name on the license. For months, every cop in Utah had been after a man named Ted, driving a tan Volkswagen. The officer didn't want to jump to any conclusions based on those facts alone, but it did make him take a second look at Ted's vehicle. He scanned the inside of the car with his flashlight and opened the glove compartment. It contained a ski mask, gloves, handcuffs, rope and crowbar. A shovel lay unused in the back seat. Ted knew there was no talking his way out of this one. He spent the night in jail for evading an officer, but detectives at the station wondered if he was the serial killer everyone was looking for. However, the only evidence they had were the items in his glove compartment, which was suspicious, but not enough to keep him behind bars. The next morning, Ted was allowed to leave the station. After he was gone, the detectives called their colleagues in Seattle to see if Ted Bundy was on their radar. In a remarkable coincidence, Ted was literally the next person on their list to investigate. The detectives in Utah agreed to keep a close eye on him. They had front row seats as Ted Bundy's world unraveled. After Elizabeth learned that he'd been arrested with those disturbing items in his bag, she finally broke up with him. Ted tried to tell her it was all a misunderstanding, but she couldn't believe him anymore. She had to do what was best for her daughter and keep Ted away. Though he used their relationship as cover for his violence, Ted was also deeply attached to Elizabeth. The same urges that drove him to murder women also somehow compelled him to seek their approval. And he'd always been sensitive to rejection. After the breakup, he drank heavily, and his friends in Utah noticed dramatic mood swings.

[Dr. Tristan Angles]

Let's talk about, you know, his reaction to the breakup. I don't think that his attachment to Elizabeth was because of her as a person, but rather what she represented. Elizabeth was part of his mask, the image he carefully crafted to overcompensate for such low self esteem and Low sense of self worth. In addition to being able to go out and be unsuspecting, his reaction to this breakup was reacting to the loss of a narcissistic supply that helped fuel his ego and inflate his sense of self worth.

[Vanessa Richardson]

So considering what we know about him, does it seem like he was really capable of love?

[Dr. Tristan Angles]

No. I think he is really only capable of loving what it is he gains from other people. Everything is for his pure self interest.

[Vanessa Richardson]

However Ted truly felt about the breakup, it was about to be the least of his problems. The authorities searched Ted's apartment in Salt Lake City, where they found several pieces of circumstantial evidence. Some of the items included a guide to Colorado ski resorts, a brochure from one of the victims, schools, and same type of shoes Carol Duron's kidnapper had worn. None of it was definitive proof Ted was a serial killer, but it was enough to place him in a police lineup for Carol Duronch on October 2, 1975. She was able to identify him, and that same day, Ted was charged with kidnapping and attempted murder. In the weeks following his arrest, Ted frantically wrote to family and friends. He swore the charges were bogus and that it was all a witch hunt.

[Dr. Tristan Angles]

Given his narcissistic side, this reaction and desperation to regain control of his image is really not surprising.

[Vanessa Richardson]

And of all the people he contacted, he sent the most letters to his now ex girlfriend, Elizabeth Kloepfer. He wrote to her nearly every day, begging for her to take him back. Elizabeth had been one of the first to suspect Ted had a dark side. But now that he was in jail, she found it hard to accept that he was really a killer. He told her everything she wanted to hear, and by the end of 1975, they were somehow back together.

[Dr. Tristan Angles]

I know a lot of people are probably really surprised and questioning that, but let's remember that Ted is very good at manipulation. He is charming and cunning. Psychopaths like Ted especially, who also exhibit classic narcissism, are very skilled at distorting reality. He used all of these traits to manipulate Elizabeth from the onset of their relationship, but especially now into believing him even when she had been suspicious of him from the beginning. It is much easier to believe the lies that he is telling her and remain in denial than the alternative. It often takes time for a loved one to process news like this, let alone accept it. She has been with Ted for years, and the version of him that she knew and the one that she loved, the one that she felt safe enough to bring around her Own daughter is the only version she knows. It's going to be very hard for her and it's going to take some time to reconcile the truth of who he is from the fictional, very superficial Persona she's known for however long. Now that they've been together.

[Vanessa Richardson]

Well, with Elizabeth back by his side, 29 year old Ted Bundy walked into the courtroom room on February 23, 1976 with his head held high. At first he was confident he'd be acquitted. It was a bench trial, which meant he only needed to convince a judge instead of an entire jury. And the star witness, now 19 year old Carol Durant, was understandably nervous. Ted hoped she could be intimidated into making a mistake during her testimony. But despite some tears, Carol stood strong. She insisted that Ted was the man who tried to kidnap her. The judge believed her. Although Ted escaped the attempted murder charge, he was found guilty of aggravated kidnapping. He was sentenced to a maximum of 15 years in prison. But if the authorities had their way, he'd be there for much longer. Ted was sent to a prison in Salt Lake City while authorities worked to connect him to the other murders. Using credit card transactions and gas station receipts, they determined he was in the areas where the victims disappeared. They interviewed witness after witness while combing through the wilderness for more bodies. Finally, in October 1976, they had enough evidence to charge Ted with the murder of Karen Campbell, a 23 year old he'd abducted from Colorado Hotel. The following year, in January 1977, he was extradited to a prison in Aspen. The instant he got there, officials could tell he was a different kind of criminal. He poured on the charm and got on easily with the guards. Leveraging his limited knowledge from law school, he also assisted his lawyer with his own legal defense that granted him special privileges most other inmates didn't get, like the use of the legal library. Most importantly, it meant he could appear in court without shackles on. He argued that acting as his own lawyer while wearing chains would prejudice the jury against him. The judge granted his request, but it was all just a smokescreen because Ted had no intention of attending his trial. On June 7, 1977, he was called out of his cell for a pre trial hearing. The day started out as planned with Ted delivering some prepared remarks to the judge. When a mid morning recess was called, he shuffled out of the courtroom and into the second floor library. No one paid much attention to him. It was all business as usual. Ted casually walked around the room, edging towards a stack of books sitting near an open window. He leaned against the sill and took one last look to make sure no one was watching. Then, in a single fluid motion, Ted leapt out of the window.

[G]

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[E]

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[Vanessa Richardson]

On June 7, 1977, Ted Bundy jumped out of a second story window of Aspen's Pitkin County Courthouse. The 30 year old took a hard fall into the bushes below and injured his ankle, but he could still walk. Ted shook himself off, limped toward the tree line and ran into the woods before anyone realized he was gone. Despite an injured ankle, no supplies, and no real plan, Ted Bundy survived in the Aspen Mountains for almost a week. Most of that time was spent wandering in circles. After five days on the run, he stole a car, but by then he was delirious from lack of food. He swerved all over the road and was pulled over and sent back to prison him. Naturally, the failed escape made him look pretty guilty. Once again, Ted's girlfriend Elizabeth cut off all contact with him. This time for good. But beyond that, he didn't face a lot of repercussions. Once Ted was back in his prison, the security around his cell wasn't increased and the pre trial hearings started back up.

[Dr. Tristan Angles]

Having worked in prisons myself, I'm absolutely baffled by this. Anyone with an escape history, at least now, because I know this was in the 70s but now is housed in a maximum security setting and all the safety measures are in place to ensure something like this doesn't happen.

[Vanessa Richardson]

Unbeknownst to his guards at the time, Ted started planning his next escape almost immediately. He bribed a fellow prisoner to get him a hacksaw and solicited cash donations from friends and family. A former co worker named Carol Boone was a frequent visitor and happily smuggled money into prison for him. Carol was one of the many women Ted cheated on Elizabeth with and their romance continued even after his kidnapping conviction. Her loyalty to Ted was unwavering. She was a smart woman, but emotionally vulnerable. Before she met him, she'd been through a rough divorce and Ted played on her deep, deep need for love. He spent years spinning her lies, convincing her he was completely innocent of every charge.

[Dr. Tristan Angles]

I think we need to discuss just how convincing Ted is showing himself to be. He continues to use that superficial charm and that glibness to disarm the people around him, including law enforcement. The fact that the jail didn't take appropriate security precautions for an obvious flight risk is egregious from the perspective of standard operations operating procedure. But his ability to convince the actual custody officers that he wasn't a threat actually doesn't surprise me. And this is coming from someone who has been around custody. I mentioned earlier that one of the ways that Ted was so successful in his time was that he would use his privilege and systemic bias and racism to his advantage. Ted has an attraction, a conventional attractiveness to him. He's charming and he's an intelligent white man. If he is a person of color, I don't think that the guards would have bought into his manipulation or had been so easily influenced by him. When it comes to Carol, much like Elizabeth, he was able to prey upon her vulnerabilities and her own low sense of self worth to keep her loyalty. She might have been attracted to the fact that Ted was incarcerated and charged with a heinous crime. And this is something called hybristol. And that Typically afflicts people who have low self esteem and feel secure in relationships with incarcerated individuals because they know where they are at all times.

[Vanessa Richardson]

Well, by day, Ted spun lies to Carol Boone and schmoozed with the guards. But at night, he steadily sawed a hole in his ceiling. After months of work, it was only about 1 square foot in diameter. But by starving himself, Ted could just barely squeeze through. On December 30, 1977, after six months of preparation, he was ready. That night, he wriggled into the ceiling, Dropped down into a vacant jailer's apartment, and changed into street clothes. From there, he was able to walk out the front door to freedom. But after that, he didn't really have a plan. He took a bus to Denver, then grabbed a flight to Chicago using the cash he'd squirreled away. Tired of the cold and wanting to be as far as possible from the Pacific northwest, he headed to Florida. He ended up in Tallahassee and used the last of his cash to rent a room in a boarding house near Florida State University. By then, a change had come over Ted. The reality of his situation had sunk in, and it wasn't pretty. With his face plastered all over the news, the charming, charming mask he'd perfected over a lifetime was all but useless now. He was fueled by his violent urges and the eternal simmering rage inside him. The only thing he had left was murder.

[Dr. Tristan Angles]

So I think we have a lot to unpack here. Ted spent months preparing for his escape, which included bribing people and having Carol smuggle in money in all the obvious ways. He was very prepared for his escape and he was successful. But because he also is impulsive and because his need for stimulation is just so great and continues to become that much more intense, he clearly did not really think rationally about what to expect when he was successful. So in this moment, Ted is not only grappling with his compulsion to kill, but he's also realizing that this may be his last opportunity to do so. So not only are his odds of being caught high because he's nationally known, everyone is looking for him, but his odds of escaping jail or prison ever again were definitely non existent. After two successful attempts, which, let's just press once again, how egregious that is. I still can't wrap my head around how officers did not see a hole being sawed in the ceiling of his cell. This is what I think, though, is driving Ted in the what we're going to see happen in the next few weeks.

[Vanessa Richardson]

So Ted hold up in tallahassee for a week while detectives back in Colorado scrambled to pick up his trail. He kept to himself at the boarding house and most of the other residents gave him a wide berth. But by January 15, 1978, Ted couldn't take the isolation any longer. He wanted to become the monster again, to hurt someone. That night, he ventured out into the streets armed with a wooden Club. At 3 in the morning, he entered a Florida State sorority house. Through a broken back door, he found 21 year old Margaret Bowman sleeping in her room and pounced on her, beating and strangling her, hardly pausing to take a breath. He then broke into the next room and beat 20 year old Lisa Janet Levy to death. Even then, he wasn't done. He entered two other bedrooms and assaulted the women inside before fleeing the scene. Luckily, a sorority sister spotted him as he rushed out the back door and was able to call 911 in time to save their lives. While the cops responded to the scene at the sorority house, Ted broke into another apartment 8 blocks away where he is assaulted 21 year old Cheryl Thomas. A neighbor heard the commotion through the wall and called for help. Ted ran before they arrived. Thankfully, Cheryl survived the attack, although it left her with a broken jaw and permanent hearing loss.

[Dr. Tristan Angles]

And to think this could have all been avoided if the custody officers and the institution he was detained at took better security measures. It's just infuriating for these women and their family and certainly the communities.

[Vanessa Richardson]

After that, Ted finally stopped. He took refuge in his rented room and hid from police, surviving the next week by stealing credit cards. On the morning of February 8, 1977, the 30 year old hijacked a van and traveled east towards Jacksonville. Ted knew he should lie low to avoid detection. But he couldn't or wouldn't control himself any longer. So he went looking for another victim. In the middle of a heavy rainstorm, Ted passed by Lake City Junior High School and pulled over. He could just make out a 12 year old girl, Kimberly Leach, running through an open field towards the school. Kimberly was much younger than Ted's other victims, but at that point he was past caring. He wanted to kill. And as long as his target couldn't fight back, he didn't care who they were.

[Dr. Tristan Angles]

We should discuss this. This is a deviation from his normal pattern. So why is that? Ted is like a tornado right now, leaving carnage behind. The nation is aware he is on the loose. Police are investigating multiple crimes in his wake. Crimes that happened in their residences. Ted's going to be easily spotted by most at this point, especially by adult Women who are seeing the news and reading the paper. Ted's deviation to a minor is a combination of that and opportunity. Like you said, she was as vulnerable as one could get and as easy of a target he was going to encounter in those circumstances.

[Vanessa Richardson]

Dr. Ingalls, it seems like by this point he's all but given up on the planning that characterized his earlier murders. Do you think he was even trying to run from the police at this point? Was he just trying to commit as much violence as possible, possible before he got caught?

[Dr. Tristan Angles]

I think he knows that his capture is inevitable. And he can either spend his time trying to evade capture by lying low, or he could kill as much as he can before he is captured. Ted knows when he is finally caught, he will be restrained from ever engaging in his compulsions and these fantasies ever again. He's never going to get out. He's never going to escape. He will lose, lose all control and power when he's detained. And that is what I think is driving this more than anything.

[Vanessa Richardson]

After killing Kimberly Leach, Ted fled from town to town, stealing cars and credit cards whenever he could. His physical and mental state was rapidly deteriorating. It was only a matter of time before he slipped up. A week after killing Kimberly, on February 15, 1978, a police officer named David David Lee found Ted by chance loitering in a car outside Pensacola, Florida. Lee ran the license plates and realized the vehicle was stolen. He asked Ted to step out of the car and lay on the ground. At first, Ted cooperated, But when Lee tried to cuff him, he spun around and kicked the officer's feet out from under him. Then Ted tried to run, but he didn't get far. After another struggle, Lee pistol whipped Ted and got him in cuffs. Ted's only words for him were, I wish you had killed me. That was Ted Bundy's final arrest. In May of 1978, the 32 year old was indicted on first degree charges for the murders of Lisa Levy and Margaret Bowman at the Florida State sorority house. He was offered a plea bargain, but refused it at the last minute. According to his lawyers, Ted couldn't face the prospect of publicly admitting guilt. He didn't want to expose the monster he really was. Instead, he used the trial to shape his public image, trying to come off as charming and intelligent, even when it sabotaged his own case. While he had multiple qualified attorneys, Ted insisted on leading his own defense, which he was legally entitled to do. It wasn't about winning. It was about rebuilding the respectable facade he'd obsessively crafted for Himself.

[Dr. Tristan Angles]

For someone who spent years doing his best to blend in and avoid being caught, he sure is loving the spotlight now. But honestly, I wouldn't have expected anything less from him. Because to me, it's no surprise that a man who cares so much about image would want to use this opportunity to grandstand when the entire country is watching. It's the last of what is within his control when it comes to attention, image and stimulation. He is definitely enjoying his ability to charm and manipulate the public because it's worked so far on Elizabeth, with Harold and law enforcement. He is enjoying this moment.

[Vanessa Richardson]

Yeah, and Ted's showmanship certainly attracted attention. His trials were packed with reporters documenting his every move. And Ted did everything he could to entertain them. For example, after Ted was convicted of murdering 12 year old Kimberly Leach, his girlfriend Carol Boone served as a character witness at the sentencing hearing. Hearing. Carol was the one who smuggled cash into prison for Ted before his second prison escape. Even after all that, she was still firmly on his side. While she testified about his upstanding moral character, Ted used an obscure statute to declare the two married. According to Florida law, any declaration of marriage in the presence of a judge constituted a legal vow. It was really nothing more than a sideshow and the judge wasn't amused. The very next day, on February 10, 1980, 33 year old Ted Bundy was sentenced to death. He spent the last years of his life vying for infamy. As long as he was going down as a serial killer, he was going to lean into it. To that end, Ted gave dozens of contradictory interviews to journalists, psychologists and police officers. He likely made up lurid details about his life to win sympathy and increase his notoriety. But also because he just enjoyed tricking people. Since then, countless people have delved into these interviews to try and understand the essence of Ted Bundy. On the surface, he seemed to have so much going for him. He was clever, attractive and charismatic. So what went wrong? One of the many psychiatrists who Examined Ted was Dr. Emanuel Tanay, a professor at Wayne State University School of Medicine. He determined that while Ted spoke freely to him during their conversations, meaningful communication between them was nearly impossible. Ted was more interested in manipulating people than connecting with them.

[Dr. Tristan Angles]

The finding and experience from Dr. Tani does not surprise me at all. I have had to evaluate serial killers and regularly I encounter people who have similar pathologies as Ted, as though obviously not as severe. They are very superficial. Every interaction and behavior truly is motivated by personal or secondary gain. When I encounter anyone who I suspect has cluster B personality traits, in particular antisocial personality disorder or narcissistic personality disorder. One of the first things I notice is their arrogance and their grandiosity. They often attempt to dominate the conversation because they enjoy the power and the control, especially when they are meeting with an expert in psychiatry or psychology. They find it particularly stimulating to test our limits and see how far their manipulation skills can go with people trained to identify that. It's like a game and at this point he is simply finding thrills where he can. But Ted has spent his entire life carefully crafting an identity and an image because he lacked a genuine one. So that is not going to turn off. Whenever he is in a social setting, he doesn't know how to turn it off and he is not doing this to genuinely know someone or make any sincere relationships because he's not capable of that. He is this way because it gets him what he wants.

[Vanessa Richardson]

Whatever Ted's angle was, it came to an end on January 24, 1989 when he was executed by electric chair at the age of of 42. Since then, he's become one of the most infamous serial killers of all time, the archetype of the charming neighbor hiding a secret dark side. It's true that Ted's good looks and friendly demeanor drew some of his victims in, but in reality, he always took advantage of people who were empathetic and compassionate. Despite having a family and friends who were willing to help him, Ted closed himself off and chose to take his childhood anger out on other people. He posed as an injured, helpless man as a way to take his targets by surprise. Ted Bundy spent his life crafting a Persona that was attractive and charming, but the true Ted Bundy was a coward and a liar without any real conscience. Thanks so much for listening. We'll be back next Monday as we explore the mind of another serial killer.

[Dr. Tristan Angles]

Mind of a Serial Killer is a Crime House original powered by Pave Studios. Here at Crime House, we want to thank each and every one of you for your support. If you like what you heard today, reach out on social media at Crime House on Instagram. Don't forget to rate, review and follow Mind of a Serial Killer wherever you get your podcasts. Your feedback truly makes a difference.

[Vanessa Richardson]

And for ad free and early access to Mind of a Serial Killer plus exciting bonus content. Subscribe to Crime House plus on Apple Podcasts. We'll be back next Monday. Mind of a Serial Killer is hosted by me, Vanessa Richardson and Dr. Tristan Engels and is a Crime House original powered by Pave Studios. This episode was brought to life by the mind of a serial killer team. Max Cutler, Ron Shapiro, Alex Bennett, Lori Marinelli, Natalie Pertzovsky, Stacey Warrenker, Sarah Carroll, Terrell Wells, Beth Johnson, and Carrie Murphy. Thank you for listening. Looking for a deep dive into history's most notorious true crime cases? Check out Crime House True Crime Stories follow Follow Crime House True Crime Stories now wherever you get your podcasts and for ad free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House plus on Apple Podcasts.