Exploring Ted Bundy

Introduction

Serial killing as a phenomenon in criminology studies has been explained on the basis of criminological theories that seek to link the crimes to the various factors that can explain the making of the criminal. Both biological theory and psychological explanations have been given to explain serial killing as a crime. I am interested in exploring how these theories provide an insight into the serial killing by Ted Bundy. Serial killing is usually defined as killing by the same person of three or more persons, with the characteristics of murders remaining the same over a period of time (Flowers, 2012). Serial killing must be distinguished from mass murder or spree killing, as these are one time event of mass killing in which the same perpetrator is involved, while serial killing sees the same perpetrator kill a number of people over a period of time. In criminology and psychology, serial killers have attracted a significant amount of interest due to the nature of the crime and the criminals involved in the crime. This essay will discuss Ted Bundy as a case study.

Review of relevant academic literature

Flowers (2012) writes that serial killers may exhibit mental illness and psychopathy, which may be responsible for their criminal activity. Indeed, in literature, much of the research already conducted suggests a link between personality disorders and serial killing (LaBrode, 2007). An antisocial personality disorder is specifically linked to serial killing, although antisocial personality disorder does not necessarily mean that the person will also be a psychopath; however, research suggests that a significant number of psychopaths have antisocial personality disorder (LaBrode, 2007). A psychopath is defined as a person without empathy, scruple or remorse (Kiehl & Hoffman, 2011). Psychopathy is not a new phenomenon and has been reported in ancient Greek and Roman literature as well (Kiehl & Hoffman, 2011). It is defined as follows:

“Psychopathy is a constellation of psychological symptoms that typically emerges early in childhood and affects all aspects of a sufferer’s life including relationships with family, friends, work, and school. The symptoms of psychopathy include shallow affect, lack of empathy, guilt and remorse, irresponsibility, and impulsivity (Kiehl & Hoffman, 2011, p. 356).

Lack of remorse, guilt, empathy, and feeling, may be indicators of future criminal behaviour. All psychopaths are not serial killers, but research suggests that there is a subset of psychopathic individuals who feel compelled to kill (LaBrode, 2007). In that context, serial killing may be treated as a trait that a person is biologically linked to, as noted by LaBrode (2007):

“Serial killers such as Gary Ridgeway, Ed Gein, Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, BTK (Dennis Rader), John Wayne Gacy, and Ed Kemper can all be identified as psychopaths… These serial murderers intrigue the average person because the average person cannot fathom committing such a heinous crime and never showing any remorse. Even though many serial killers share striking similarities in their personalities, crimes, and histories, they are totally different people, born and raised by different parents, have had different life experiences, and are from different places and different times. Could it be possible that people are born this way?” (p. 154).

According to LaBrode (2007), there is a possibility that serial killers like Jeffrey Dahmer and Ted Bundy were born with certain traits or mental qualities that compelled them into serial killing. This is an argument that is supported by research that indicates that there are certain characteristics that are common to serial killers despite their different backgrounds and upbringing, such as, being a little "off" as children, torturing animals, wetting their beds, and a tendency to set fires (LaBrode, 2007). The common characteristics of serial killers are called the "triad" of symptoms (LaBrode, 2007, p. 155). Criminologists appear to have responded to these common characteristics, and investigators within the criminal justice system also increasingly use profiling techniques (LaBrode, 2007). This suggests that there is some support for the argument that serial killers share some characteristics and behaviour patterns.

Serial killers also have different subtypes and characteristics (Miller, 2014). As such, there are varying patterns and motivations that drive serial killers and although some characteristics may be common to serial killers, there may be some important distinctions (Miller, 2014). Generally, serial killers’ typology is explained as male, heterosexual, and solitary sadistic sexual homicide offender (Miller, 2014). Other than this typology, there are other subpopulations of serial killers, such as, sadist–masochist, homosexual, and professional serial killers (Miller, 2014). Some serial killers have been women and there are some cases of serial killers who were couples (Miller, 2014).

Serial sexual killers are also form a typology in serial killing (Myers, 2006; Bennell, et al., 2013). There are four categories that are used to characterise serial killers, including power-assertive, power-reassurance, anger-retaliation, and anger- excitation (Keppel & Walter, 1999). However, recent research has questioned this categorisation (Bennell, et al., 2013); nevertheless, there is still support for this categorisation of serial sexual killers.

The motivations behind serial killers’ actions have been a matter of interest and controversy in criminological literature (Myers, 2006). Some of the motivations that are identified in literature relate to seeking of sexual gratification, or obtaining power and control over the victim, or for an expression of anger (Myers, 2006). Myers (2006) argues that serial sexual murderers have the principal motivation of pursuit of sadistic pleasure behind their actions. Secondary motivations of establishing power and control over victims is may also be involved as linked to a heightening sexual arousal (Myers, 2006).

Overview of the case

Theodore Robert Cowell (Ted Bundy) kidnapped, raped, and murdered an unknown number of young women during the 1970s (Hare, 1999). It is possible that he started killing prior to the 1970s, and that he killed a much larger number of victims than he finally was convicted for. He himself confessed to killing 30 women in seven states between 1974 and 1978 (Hare, 1999). However, investigators and criminologists believe this number to be higher (Rule, 1989). The modus operandi that Bundy used to trap his victims evolved over a period of time. Initially, he would force late-night entry into a house and attack the sleeping victim with a blunt weapon. He would sexually assault some victims with inert objects, in some cases after the victims had died. With time, Bundy began to lure victims in public places by using a plaster cast leg or a sling on arm, and asking for assistance in carrying something to his vehicle. As he was a handsome man, women would be trusting. Once near the vehicle, Bundy would overpower, bludgeon, and restrain the victim. At times he pretended to be a police officer or firefighter to lure victims (Hare, 1999). Bundy also indulged in necrophilia with some victims (Hare, 1999).

Discussion

Literature indicates that there are certain characteristics of serial killers. These characteristics include a possible antisocial personality disorder (LaBrode, 2007); psychopathic behaviour, which may include lack of empathy, scruple or remorse (Kiehl & Hoffman, 2011). In the case of Ted Bundy, literature shows that he had these characteristics. Bundy is on record with his statement: “I am the most cold-hearted son of a bitch you'll ever meet” (Hare, 1999, p. 23). This statement was made by Bundy to the investigators to explain his lack of empathy for his victims and his lack of remorse for what he had done. Bundy was also shy, which may be because of an antisocial personality disorder (LaBrode, 2007).

Certain other characteristics are found to be common to serial killers, such as, being a little "off" as children, torturing animals, wetting their beds, and a tendency to set fires (LaBrode, 2007). In the case of Ted Bundy, he appears to have indulged in acts of voyeurism from his childhood time and also accessed pornographic material (Rakestraw & Cameron, 2019). Voyeurism in particular is ‘off’ behaviour in young children and it indicates some lack of scruple on the part of the individual. There are also some aspects of his character which reflect on the characteristics of serial killers as recognised by criminology literature (Brogaard, 2012). Some of the statements that he made show him to be a person who was cold, exploitative, unscrupulous, and lack of empathy and guilt. These statements are as follows:

“I didn't know what made people want to be friends. I didn't know what made people attractive to one another. I didn't know what underlay social interactions.”

“I don't feel guilty for anything. I feel sorry for people who feel guilt.”

“I'm as cold a m#$%^&f&^%$# as you've ever put your f%$#ing eyes on. I don't give a sh$% about those people” (quoted in Brogaard, 2012, p. 1).

These comments suggest that Bundy had the main traits of a psychopath. He was “callous, exploitive individual with blunted emotions, impulsive inclinations and an inability to feel guilt or remorse” (Brogaard, 2012, p. 1). These qualities seem to have allowed Ted Bundy to be cruel and violent towards his victims, using inert objects to sexually molest his victims and overpowering, bludgeoning, and restraining the victim before killing them and even performing necrophilia acts on his victims’ bodies (Hare, 1999). The motivations for why he did all this may be seen in the literature around serial sexual killers (Myers, 2006; Bennell, et al., 2013). His crimes appear to be motivated by the need to get sexual gratification, and obtaining power and control over the victim (Myers, 2006). Myers (2006) argues that serial sexual murderers have the principal motivation of pursuit of sadistic pleasure behind their actions. This appears to be a case with Ted Bundy as he obviously derived sadistic pleasure. He was also controlling and his victimology and modus operandi indicates that he enjoyed control over his victims (Johnson & Becker, 1997). It has been said that Bundy developed an “ability to plan and coordinate his attacks and sadistic torturous control of his victims” (McClellan, 2006, p. 35). That Ted Bundy was a sadist has been suggested by Johnson and Becker (1997) as well.

A question may be raised as to whether Ted Bundy was a natural born killer, as suggested by LaBrode (2007). Ted Bundy’s childhood was normal and does not suggst any reasons why he should have become a serial sexual killer. However, he admits to being psychopathic from a young age, which suggests that it is possible that serial killers are born with certain characteristics.

Serial killers are often romanticised or sensationalised in the literature, and there is an emphasis on their intelligence (Jeffrey Dahmer) or charisma (Ted Bundy). Much of sensationalisation of serial killers happens in mass media because serial killers are considered to be more newsworthy and interesting (Greer, 2007). Much of the literature on serial killers is also dominated by biographical accounts of serial killers, which may be reductionist and stereotypical (Hodgkinson, et al., 2017).

Conclusion

To conclude, Ted Bundy was a serial sexual killer, whose characteristics conform with the criminological and psychological research on serial killers. He lacked empathy and remorse as he himself admitted. This accords with literature which suggests that psychopaths are remorseless people who feel no guilt and have no empathy. Ted Bundy had all these qualities as his statements on record indicate. He was also a sadist, which conforms to the literature on serial sexual killers.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

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