After 52 years: The murder mystery solved and reveals another victim of Ted Bundy

Authorities in Utah have solved the 1974 murder of 17-year-old Melissa Ann Smith, linking it to serial killer Ted Bundy through advanced DNA testing. Investigators continue to examine additional murder cases.

More than 50 years after the body of 17-year-old Melissa Ann Smith was found in Utah, authorities announced they have linked her murder to serial killer Ted Bundy through advanced DNA testing. The breakthrough came following another investigation, in which Bundy was linked to the murder of teenager Laura Ann Aime in April 2026. At a press conference, Sergeant Mike Reynolds said investigators continue to examine additional murder cases. Police Chief Rosie Rivera emphasized the importance of preserving evidence over time. Bundy was executed in 1989 and was linked to the murders of at least 30 women. In the state of Utah, 444 death investigations remain unsolved, including 258 murder cases.