Utah authorities are connecting serial killer Ted Bundy to another 1970s homicide

DNA evidence has connected notorious serial killer Ted Bundy to the death of a Utah teenager, 52 years after her body was found in the woods. Melissa Ann Smith, who was 17 years old when she died in 1974, is now believed to have been one of Bundy's victims. The discovery was made possible through the use of modern DNA testing. Authorities announced the connection on Tuesday, providing closure to her family and investigators who had long considered her death a cold case.

Bundy, who died in 1989, is known to have killed at least 30 women and girls across multiple states during the 1970s. However, the total number of his victims continues to increase due to advancements in DNA technology. Besides the Utah case, authorities have confirmed that Bundy had victims in Colorado, Idaho, and Washington state as well.

Investigators determined that Smith's death matched the characteristics of Bundy's modus operandi, suggesting a strong link between the two cases. The breakthrough came when investigators found a DNA profile highly similar to Bundy's in evidence obtained from Smith's autopsy. This finding, along with other key pieces of evidence, allowed them to link Smith to the infamous killer.

Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera emphasized the importance of preserving evidence in solving cold cases, stating that this case demonstrates the value of such efforts. Bundy's next of kin have been informed about the closure of the case, though none of them currently reside in the area. Sergeant Mike Reynolds noted that with each case closure, they strive to eliminate the memory of Ted Bundy.

Bundy was executed by electric chair in Florida in 1989 for the murders of two women at Florida State University's Chi Omega sorority house. During his final days, he confessed to several crimes that had previously gone unsolved. While not all of these cases have been confirmed, authorities have connected Bundy to victims in several other states, including Colorado, Idaho, and Washington. They are actively working to solve the death of 16-year-old Nancy Wilcox, another potential victim in Utah.