UTAH COUNTY, Utah (TCN) — A long-unsolved homicide has been linked to serial killer Ted Bundy thanks to DNA testing, according to authorities.
On April 1, close to the 51st anniversary of Laura Ann Aime’s disappearance, the Utah County Sheriff’s Office announced that new forensic technology “irrefutably” found that DNA evidence on Aime’s body belonged to Bundy.
Aime, 17, was last seen on Oct. 31, 1974, leaving a Halloween party. Her body was found almost a month later by two hikers. She had been bound, beaten, and strangled with a nylon stocking. Investigators believed Aime was kept alive for several days before she was killed, and that her manner and cause of death were similar to other victims of Bundy. A serial killer who operated in multiple states in the 1970s, Bundy was eventually executed in Florida in 1989.
People reports Bundy told police he killed up to 30 women, but authorities believe the number could be as high as 100.
According to the sheriff’s office, he killed people of various ages and genders but was known to have preference for women with certain physical traits.
Before his execution, Bundy reportedly admitted to killing Aime, as well as other victims, but did not go into detail. The Utah County Sheriff’s Office did not accept his admission at the time due to lack of evidence and available investigative science. The case was kept open until investigators could prove that Bundy was responsible.
According to the sheriff’s office, Aime loved hunting, riding horses, and caring for her siblings. She was described as tall, beautiful, and a free spirit who loved her family and bought candy for her siblings because she enjoyed watching their happiness at getting something sweet.
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