The ‘most infamous’ serial killer

Ted Bundy wasn’t just good-looking – he was also well-spoken and a psychology student who was widely regarded by his professors. Former police officer Ann Rule, who worked with him in the ’70s, even described him as “kind, solicitous and empathetic”. But he was a predator who killed at least 30 women, escaped from prison twice and was finally caught in 1978 after a five-year crime spree.

He lured his victims by feigning injury and asking for help to get to his car. He then bashed and bundled them into his car where he raped and tortured them. Sometimes he cut off their heads.

Former FBI director William S. Sessions described Bundy as “perhaps society’s most infamous and notorious serial killer”. But Bundy’s mother Louise refused to believe the son she’d raised as a single parent could be a repeat killer. On the day of his execution she told him, “You’ll always be my precious son.”

He died in the electric chair in 1989, aged 42, after confessing to 30 killings. His story is being brought to life by heartthrob Zac Efron in a new movie, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil And Vile.