After 52 Years, DNA Links Ted Bundy to the Murder of 17-Year-Old Melissa Smith in Utah

Utah authorities have used modern DNA technology to link serial killer Ted Bundy to the murder of 17-year-old Melissa Ann Smith, whose body was found by hunters in 1974. Earlier in April, Bundy was linked to the death of Laura Ann Aime, and materials from that case helped close the Smith case. The state continues to review other unsolved cases.

Aziz KarimovFirst published on tafs uz 28 October 2026 at 07:502 min read

The key facts

DNA analysis linked Ted Bundy to the murder of Melissa Ann Smith, found on October 27, 1974
In April, Bundy was linked to the death of Laura Ann Aime; evidence from that case helped in the Smith case
Utah, according to the forensics bureau, has 444 unsolved death cases, including 258 homicides

A case closed after half a century

Utah state authorities have used modern DNA technology to link the notorious serial killer Ted Bundy to the murder of 17-year-old Melissa Ann Smith, whose body hunters discovered 52 years ago — on October 27, 1974. According to BBC News, the girl, the daughter of a local police chief, showed signs of rape and torture. The announcement was made at a press conference on Tuesday.

How the two cases are connected

In April of this year, Utah officials established that another of Bundy's victims was the teenager Laura Ann Aime. Materials gathered in that case were then used to solve the Smith case — so one recent closure directly helped the next. Before his execution in 1989, Bundy confessed to the murders of two more teenagers in Utah; in total, he has been linked to at least 30 murders across the United States.

What officials said and what comes next

Utah County Sergeant Mike Reynolds said the state continues to examine other cases connected to Bundy: 'With every case we close — let us trample on Ted Bundy's memory.' Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera called the case's closure a sign of hope for the families of 'cold' case victims and stressed that forensics is constantly evolving, allowing cases to be revisited again and again. She also noted that preserving evidence over decades has proven its necessity. According to the director of the Utah State Bureau of Forensic Services, as quoted by the Salt Lake Tribune in April, the state still has 444 unsolved death investigations, including 258 homicides.

Who was Ted Bundy

Bundy is one of America's most notorious serial killers. He began his attacks in the Pacific Northwest, often approaching women in public places, winning them over with his charm or a feigned injury, then luring them to secluded spots and killing them. He was first arrested in 1975 for kidnapping a woman and sentenced to 15 years in prison, but in 1977 he escaped by jumping out of a prison library window. After being recaptured, he spent eight days in custody, escaped again, and continued killing until he was finally caught in 1978.