Secrets of Ted Bundy Exposed by Those Who Knew Him Best

Ted Bundy, 1978. Photo courtesy of the State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory Project. Public domain.

Ted Bundy is one of the most infamous serial killers in history, known for his charm and good looks that masked a dark and violent nature. The people who knew him before he was convicted of murdering over 30 women have shared their experiences, shedding light on the unsettling reality of the man behind the mask.

1. He Had a Violent Streak Even as a Child

Bundy as a high school senior in 1965. Photo courtesy of Woodrow Wilson High School. Public domain.

Sandi Holt, a childhood friend from Tacoma, Washington, remembered Bundy as a child who enjoyed scaring others and setting traps in the woods. One incident involved a girl falling into one of his traps, which resulted in a severe leg injury.

2. He Could Be Charismatic and Generous

Bundy in a Miami courtroom, 1979. Photo by Donn Dughi, courtesy of the State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory Project. Public domain.

Bundy's younger cousin, Edna Cowell Martin, recalled how he would often bring groceries to her and her college roommates in Seattle, and regale them with stories of his work. Accoring to A&E, she described him as "cheerful and gregarious" — traits that allowed him to easily gain people's trust.

3. His Personality Could Change in an Instant

Martin also noticed a darker side to Bundy. She once witnessed his usually blue eyes turn black with anger while slow-dancing with her roommate. She said it was as if he had become a different person and it took her yelling at him twice and even turning off the music for him to snap back to his normal self and excuse himself from the apartment.

4. He Hid in Plain Sight

Lynda Ann Healy (21), the first definite victim of Ted Bundy. Photo courtesy of the September 8, 1974, edition of the New York Daily News. Public domain.

Another unsettling detail Martin recalled was that several of his victims disappeared near her home in the University District, including Lynda Ann Healy, who was a close friend of her roommate. Despite being terrified by the reports, she never suspected Bundy, even after eyewitnesses linked the name "Ted" and a VW Bug to the abductions.

5. He Was Appealing to Women

Bundy leaving the Leon County, Florida court, 1979. Photo courtesy of the State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory Project. Public domain.

Bundy's former colleague, Ann Rule, who worked with him at a suicide hotline, said that he was an incredibly easy person to like. In her best-selling book, "The Stranger Beside Me," Rule explained that Bundy's good looks helped mask his sociopathic tendencies. She described his appeal to women by saying that if she were younger or her daughters were older, he would have seemed like the perfect man for one of them.

6. He Was Very Secretive

Elizabeth Kloeppfer, who had a tumultuous 6-year relationship with Bundy, described him as emotionally unpredictable and secretive, often disappearing at night. In 1974, she finally reported his suspicious behavior to the police after discovering a "kill kit" containing items that were later used as evidence against him in court.

7. He Threatened Those Who Got Too Close

Ted Bundy mug shot, Feb. 13, 1980. Photo courtesy of the Florida Department of Corrections, Florida Memory Project. Public domain.

Marylynne Chino, Kloeppfer's best friend, was suspicious of Bundy from the start, recalling his unsettling stare when they first met in 1969. During their relationship, Kloeppfer told Chino that she found suspicious items and, when she confronted Bundy, he threatened to hurt her if she ever told anyone. Chino ultimately was the one who persuaded Kloeppfer to report Bundy to the police.

These accounts from those who interacted with Bundy provide a chilling glimpse into the complex and sinister nature of one of America's most notorious serial killers.

References: What It Was Like Growing Up With Ted Bundy | 10 Creepiest Real-Life Stories From People Who Met Ted Bundy