DNA breakthrough links serial killer Ted Bundy to 1974 murder of US teenager

Authorities in Utah have formally identified a 17-year-old as a victim of the notorious serial killer Ted Bundy, more than half a century after her body was found.Melissa Ann Smith, who was the daughter of a local police chief, vanished in October 1974.Deer hunters later discovered her remains in a wooded area on the northwest edge of Summit County, approximately 100 miles north of Provo. At a press conference, Summit County Attorney Margaret Olson and Sheriff Kacey Bates revealed that modern DNA analysis had conclusively tied Bundy to the teenager's killing. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Sheriff Bates noted that whilst Bundy had long been regarded as the prime suspect in Ms Smith's death, "although there was much speculation regarding a suspect at the time, a suspect was never named, and the case was never officially closed."The breakthrough came as a direct result of an earlier case resolved in April, when Utah County investigators used DNA evidence to confirm Bundy had murdered another 17-year-old, Laura Ann Aime, who disappeared on Halloween 1974.A vial of Bundy's blood, drawn following his arrest in 1978 for the murder of a 12-year-old girl, was discovered in Florida in 2011 and subsequently entered into the FBI's national DNA database.After closing the Aime case, forensic scientists at the Utah State Crime Lab began examining evidence from Smith's autopsy in mid-July.Researchers determined that a Y-chromosome DNA profile recovered from Ms Aime's body matched samples found on Ms Smith's remains.Attorney Olson explained that this genetic evidence was "considered alongside evidence related to pattern, motive, means and opportunity," with investigators also examining similarities between the two killings before concluding that Bundy bore responsibility for Ms Smith's murder.She stressed the significance of the resolution, stating: "Although Ted Bundy is no longer alive to face prosecution, advances in forensic science and continued dedication of law enforcement professionals have helped provide answers in a case that has remained unsolved for over 50 years."Most importantly, we remember Melissa Ann Smith and the sombre significance of finally bringing this investigation to a close."LATEST DEVELOPMENTSTed Bundy claims another victim four decades after being sentenced to deathSerial killer Rose West ‘on her last legs’ as evacuation plan put in placeSerial killer sentenced to whole life order after murdering, dismembering and hiding bodies of two menUtah County Sergeant Mike Reynolds, whose team shared the crucial DNA profile with other agencies after the Aime case, urged that the work continue. He said: "With every case closure, may we stomp the memory of Ted Bundy out."Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera highlighted the importance of retaining physical evidence across decades,She described the case as proof that "there is hope out there" for families affected by other unsolved crimes.Sheriff Rivera said: "Every single day forensics is changing, and we have the ability to take a look at these cases again and again."Bundy admitted to killing at least 30 women and girls across Washington, Utah, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, California and Florida during a murderous spree spanning 1974 to 1978. He was put to death in Florida's electric chair on January 24, 1989, having been convicted of murdering two students at the Chi Omega sorority house at Florida State University and separately sentenced for the rape and killing of 12-year-old Kimberly Leach.In his final days, he offered a series of confessions to detectives, some involving crimes previously unknown to authorities, though not all have been verified. Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter