Topline: New forensic testing of evidence from a 50-year-old cold case confirms serial killer Ted Bundy murdered 17-year-old Laura Ann Aime.
Published: April 6, 2026 6:00 am ET
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Left: Ted Bundy, Right: Laura Ann Aime (via Bettmann Archive/Utah County Sheriff’s Office)
SPANISH FORK, UT — DNA evidence has officially linked serial killer Ted Bundy to the 1974 murder of 17-year-old Laura Ann Aime, the Utah County Sheriff’s Office announced April 1.
The teenager went missing on Halloween in 1974 and was found dead less than a month later, according to PEOPLE. The case remained open for 51 years because authorities lacked the physical evidence to convict Bundy before his 1989 execution.
Aime was last seen leaving a Halloween party in Utah County on Oct. 31, 1974. According to a statement from the sheriff’s office, witnesses said she left the party alone to buy items at a convenience store.
Two college students found her body on Nov. 27, 1974, during a Thanksgiving Day hike. The remains were located near State Road 92 in American Fork Canyon.
Deputies reported that the body was bound and beaten. Investigators determined a nylon stocking was used to strangle Aime.
Earlier investigations suggested Aime was kept alive for several days after her disappearance. Her body appeared to have been placed in the canyon shortly before it was discovered.
Bundy moved to Salt Lake City in 1974 to attend law school at the University of Utah. While on death row, he verbally admitted to his role in Aime’s death.
The Utah County Sheriff’s Department and Utah County Attorney’s Office refused to accept the verbal admission at the time. According to The New York Times, officials cited a lack of detail and the need for scientific proof to close the case.
Detectives recently reexamined the evidence as part of a cold case review. They submitted items to the Utah Bureau of Forensic Services for testing with modern technology.
The agency stated that the results confirmed DNA recovered from Aime’s body belonged to Bundy. The sheriff’s office described the findings as irrefutable.
Aime’s family described her as a free spirit who enjoyed riding horses and hunting. She was one of several siblings and lived in Fairview, Utah.
“The results were magnificent as they confirmed irrefutably that DNA evidence recovered from Laura’s body verified the existence of DNA belonging to Bundy,” the sheriff’s office said in its statement.
Bundy murdered dozens of women and girls between 1974 and 1978. He was executed in Florida on Jan. 24, 1989.
Michelle Impala, Aime’s sister, spoke during a news conference following the announcement. She told The New York Times that she believed her sister would be happy to know the case is closed.
The identification of Bundy as the killer ends five decades of investigation into the Utah County homicide. Authorities have now officially closed the file.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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DNA Closes a Cold Case: Ted Bundy Linked to 1974 Killing of Utah Teen
New forensic testing of evidence from a 50-year-old cold case confirms serial killer Ted Bundy murdered 17-year-old Laura Ann Aime.
By Kate Byrd
Published: April 6, 2026 6:00 am ET
Left: Ted Bundy, Right: Laura Ann Aime (via Bettmann Archive/Utah County Sheriff’s Office)
SPANISH FORK, UT — DNA evidence has officially linked serial killer Ted Bundy to the 1974 murder of 17-year-old Laura Ann Aime, the Utah County Sheriff’s Office announced April 1.
The teenager went missing on Halloween in 1974 and was found dead less than a month later, according to PEOPLE. The case remained open for 51 years because authorities lacked the physical evidence to convict Bundy before his 1989 execution.
Aime was last seen leaving a Halloween party in Utah County on Oct. 31, 1974. According to a statement from the sheriff’s office, witnesses said she left the party alone to buy items at a convenience store.
Two college students found her body on Nov. 27, 1974, during a Thanksgiving Day hike. The remains were located near State Road 92 in American Fork Canyon.
Deputies reported that the body was bound and beaten. Investigators determined a nylon stocking was used to strangle Aime.
Earlier investigations suggested Aime was kept alive for several days after her disappearance. Her body appeared to have been placed in the canyon shortly before it was discovered.
Bundy moved to Salt Lake City in 1974 to attend law school at the University of Utah. While on death row, he verbally admitted to his role in Aime’s death.
The Utah County Sheriff’s Department and Utah County Attorney’s Office refused to accept the verbal admission at the time. According to The New York Times, officials cited a lack of detail and the need for scientific proof to close the case.
Detectives recently reexamined the evidence as part of a cold case review. They submitted items to the Utah Bureau of Forensic Services for testing with modern technology.
The agency stated that the results confirmed DNA recovered from Aime’s body belonged to Bundy. The sheriff’s office described the findings as irrefutable.
Aime’s family described her as a free spirit who enjoyed riding horses and hunting. She was one of several siblings and lived in Fairview, Utah.
“The results were magnificent as they confirmed irrefutably that DNA evidence recovered from Laura’s body verified the existence of DNA belonging to Bundy,” the sheriff’s office said in its statement.
Bundy murdered dozens of women and girls between 1974 and 1978. He was executed in Florida on Jan. 24, 1989.
Michelle Impala, Aime’s sister, spoke during a news conference following the announcement. She told The New York Times that she believed her sister would be happy to know the case is closed.
The identification of Bundy as the killer ends five decades of investigation into the Utah County homicide. Authorities have now officially closed the file.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
DNA Closes a Cold Case: Ted Bundy Linked to 1974 Killing of Utah Teen
New forensic testing of evidence from a 50-year-old cold case confirms serial killer Ted Bundy murdered 17-year-old Laura Ann Aime.
By Kate Byrd
Published: April 6, 2026 6:00 am ET
Left: Ted Bundy, Right: Laura Ann Aime (via Bettmann Archive/Utah County Sheriff’s Office)
SPANISH FORK, UT — DNA evidence has officially linked serial killer Ted Bundy to the 1974 murder of 17-year-old Laura Ann Aime, the Utah County Sheriff’s Office announced April 1.
The teenager went missing on Halloween in 1974 and was found dead less than a month later, according to PEOPLE. The case remained open for 51 years because authorities lacked the physical evidence to convict Bundy before his 1989 execution.
Aime was last seen leaving a Halloween party in Utah County on Oct. 31, 1974. According to a statement from the sheriff’s office, witnesses said she left the party alone to buy items at a convenience store.
Two college students found her body on Nov. 27, 1974, during a Thanksgiving Day hike. The remains were located near State Road 92 in American Fork Canyon.
Deputies reported that the body was bound and beaten. Investigators determined a nylon stocking was used to strangle Aime.
Earlier investigations suggested Aime was kept alive for several days after her disappearance. Her body appeared to have been placed in the canyon shortly before it was discovered.
Bundy moved to Salt Lake City in 1974 to attend law school at the University of Utah. While on death row, he verbally admitted to his role in Aime’s death.
The Utah County Sheriff’s Department and Utah County Attorney’s Office refused to accept the verbal admission at the time. According to The New York Times, officials cited a lack of detail and the need for scientific proof to close the case.
Detectives recently reexamined the evidence as part of a cold case review. They submitted items to the Utah Bureau of Forensic Services for testing with modern technology.
The agency stated that the results confirmed DNA recovered from Aime’s body belonged to Bundy. The sheriff’s office described the findings as irrefutable.
Aime’s family described her as a free spirit who enjoyed riding horses and hunting. She was one of several siblings and lived in Fairview, Utah.
“The results were magnificent as they confirmed irrefutably that DNA evidence recovered from Laura’s body verified the existence of DNA belonging to Bundy,” the sheriff’s office said in its statement.
Bundy murdered dozens of women and girls between 1974 and 1978. He was executed in Florida on Jan. 24, 1989.
Michelle Impala, Aime’s sister, spoke during a news conference following the announcement. She told The New York Times that she believed her sister would be happy to know the case is closed.
The identification of Bundy as the killer ends five decades of investigation into the Utah County homicide. Authorities have now officially closed the file.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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