Why Was Ted Bundy Sentenced to Death?
Bundy, then 42, was sentenced to die in the electric chair for three of his final crimes: the 1978 rape and murder of 12-year-old Kimberly Leach of Lake City, Fla., as well as two women from Florida State University, Margaret Bowman and Lisa Levy. He confessed to 36 murders, but was believed to be responsible for dozens more. In March 2026, DNA evidence confirmed he killed 17-year-old Laura Ann Aime, who was last seen at a Halloween party in Utah in October 1974.
The night before Bundy's execution at Florida State Prison was reportedly spent crying and praying. On his final night of life, Bundy sat down for a tearful interview with a psychologist and religious broadcaster named James Dobson (also the founder of the Christian conservative group Focus on the Family). Bundy specifically requested this interview with Dobson, and told Dobson he was feeling calm about his impending death.
When asked how his path to violence began, Bundy equivocated a bit, but said he grew up in a "fine, solid Christian home" where he experienced no abuse. He said he took full responsibility for the crimes he had committed, but also blamed his sick tendencies on a long-held pornography addiction (he'd started out watching softcore porn but his preferences began escalating to more violent types).
Bundy spent time that night praying with Fred Lawrence, a Methodist minister, who would also attend his actual execution in the morning. Bundy also called his mother, Louise Bundy, in Tacoma, Wash., to say goodbye, twice. At the end of the second call, Louise told him, "You'll always be my precious son."
After Bundy confessed to more murders while in prison, Boone's wife stopped visiting him and moved to Washington with their daughter Rose. They divorced prior to his execution and they had no contact after that.
Ted Bundy's Final Meal
Bundy refused a special meal of his selection, so he was reportedly given a standard meal of steak, eggs, toast and hash browns around 4:50 am. However, he didn't touch any of his food. He was led into the execution room at 7 a.m.—his head and right leg shaved for the electrodes—and reportedly "looked startled" as he was strapped into the large oak chair.
Hundreds of onlookers had gathered across the street in gleeful anticipation of the notorious killer's death. They milled around in a field drinking coffee and beer and eating donuts, according to the Orlando Sentinel. It was a carnival-like atmosphere, replete with chanting, singing, beer-swilling, sign-waving, cheering and fireworks. People even sold commemorative "Fry-Day" T-shirts. Others wore shirts that said, "Burn Bundy" and "Toast Ted." One spectator held up a bedsheet on which he wrote, "I Like My Ted Well Done."
What Were Ted Bundy's Last Words?
After he was settled in, Superintendent Tom Barton asked Bundy for his last words. "Jim and Fred, I'd like you to give my love to my family and friends," Bundy, who was wearing blue slacks and a pale blue prison-issued shirt, said into the microphone. (This was directed at his lawyer, Jim Coleman, and Fred Lawrence). Forty-two spectators were watching the encounter from behind a clear plexiglass wall.
According to the Los Angeles Times, 2,000 volts of electricity were used to electrocute Bundy, who wore a metal skullcap and had a thick strap pulled across his mouth and chin. The serial killer was pronounced dead at 7:16 a.m., about one minute after "Old Sparky's" switch was flipped by an anonymous executioner.
What Was the Reaction to Ted Bundy's Death?
Word of his successful expiration spread quickly to the crowd of revelers outside the prison—which included parents with their children—who reportedly began cheering things like "Burn Bundy Burn" and banging on frying pans.
A college student reportedly exclaimed, "Thank God it's Fry-Day!" and an on-site policeman even expressed remorse that he wasn't the lucky executioner to have flipped the switch.
At Florida State University, where Bundy murdered Bowman and Levy, the Chi Phi fraternity celebrated the killer's execution with an evening cookout. They served "Bundy burgers" and "electrified hot dogs" under a large banner that read: "Watch Ted Fry, See Ted Die."
There were additional celebrations around the country, including a planned barbecue in Mountain Brook, Ala., hosted by two police officers. The "Bundy-cue" was organized in support of capital punishment and offered T-shirts for sale that said, "First Annual Ted Bundy Barbecue."
Where Was Ted Bundy Buried?
