Officials in Utah have formally closed a 51-year-old cold case after using new DNA technology to identify a murdered teenager as a victim of serial killer Ted Bundy. Laura Ann Aime, 17, disappeared after leaving a party on Halloween in 1974. Her body was discovered about one month later by hikers in the American Fork Canyon.
On Wednesday, the Utah County Sheriff's Office announced that new testing confirmed irrefutably that DNA evidence recovered from Laura's body verified the existence of DNA belonging to Bundy.
Between February 1974 and February 1978, Bundy murdered at least 30 women and is linked to many more killings throughout the country. Before his execution in Florida in 1989, Bundy confessed to Laura's killing, but details about his involvement remained vague, keeping the case open until concrete evidence was obtained.
This case is now officially closed, Utah County Sheriff Mike Smith declared during a news conference. If Bundy were still alive, he would be pursued for the death penalty.
Bundy is among America's most infamous serial killers, beginning his spree by attacking victims in the Pacific Northwest and later extending to Colorado, Utah, and Florida. At the time of Laura's death, he was residing in Salt Lake City while studying law at the University of Utah.
Laura is fondly remembered as an outgoing free spirit who enjoyed outdoor activities and shared a passion for riding horses, hunting, and caring for her siblings.
On Wednesday, the Utah County Sheriff's Office announced that new testing confirmed irrefutably that DNA evidence recovered from Laura's body verified the existence of DNA belonging to Bundy.
Between February 1974 and February 1978, Bundy murdered at least 30 women and is linked to many more killings throughout the country. Before his execution in Florida in 1989, Bundy confessed to Laura's killing, but details about his involvement remained vague, keeping the case open until concrete evidence was obtained.
This case is now officially closed, Utah County Sheriff Mike Smith declared during a news conference. If Bundy were still alive, he would be pursued for the death penalty.
Bundy is among America's most infamous serial killers, beginning his spree by attacking victims in the Pacific Northwest and later extending to Colorado, Utah, and Florida. At the time of Laura's death, he was residing in Salt Lake City while studying law at the University of Utah.
Laura is fondly remembered as an outgoing free spirit who enjoyed outdoor activities and shared a passion for riding horses, hunting, and caring for her siblings.
