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Software called STRmix helped link Ted Bundy DNA to 1974 Utah killing

Utah authorities say DNA evidence ties Ted Bundy to the 1974 murder of 17-year-old Melissa Ann Smith, and The New York Times reports software called STRmix helped identify his DNA in an old sample.

Posted Updated (4 d ago)

The New York Times reports that software known as STRmix was instrumental in identifying Ted Bundy's DNA in a decades-old sample. The sample was tied to the 1974 murder of Melissa Ann Smith, a case the Times calls 52 years old.

Utah authorities announced the finding at a news conference on Tuesday, The Guardian reports. Smith was 17. She went missing in 1974, and her nude body was found days later, according to The Guardian. CBS News reports a Utah prosecutor said Bundy was responsible and that the death had long been listed as a cold case.

NBC News reports investigators used evidence from another cold case linked to Bundy to establish his responsibility. PBS NewsHour says DNA connections between Smith and another Bundy victim helped close the case.

Fox News reports a cold-case detective said Bundy may have victims who have not been found. Fox's headline describes Smith as a chief's daughter. The other reports do not say this.

The finding follows an earlier one. The Guardian reports Utah county detectives confirmed in April that Bundy killed Laura Ann Aime, also 17, in 1974. Fox News says the same technology tied him to that killing.

Reported by

  1. Fox NewsTed Bundy expected to be linked to another decades-old homicide nearly 40 years after his executionTue, Oct 27, 1:51 PM EDT
  2. CBS NewsSerial killer Ted Bundy linked to another Utah girl's cold case murderTue, Oct 27, 2:54 PM EDT
  3. BBC NewsSerial killer Ted Bundy linked to teenage girl's murder after 52 yearsTue, Oct 27, 3:56 PM EDT
  4. PBS NewsHourAuthorities say serial killer Ted Bundy is responsible for the 1974 murder of another Utah teenage girlTue, Oct 27, 4:01 PM EDT
  5. The GuardianSerial killer Ted Bundy linked through DNA to 1974 murder of Utah girlTue, Oct 27, 5:59 PM EDT
  6. NBC NewsSerial killer Ted Bundy linked to 1974 murder of Utah teenagerTue, Oct 27, 7:50 PM EDT
  7. CBS NewsEvidence links Ted Bundy to cold case murder in UtahWed, Oct 28, 9:19 AM EDT
  8. CBS NewsSerial killer Ted Bundy linked to 1974 cold case murder of Utah teenWed, Oct 28, 1:00 PM EDT
  9. Fox NewsTed Bundy could have more undiscovered victims after DNA links him to murder of chief's daughter: detectiveThu, Oct 29, 6:00 AM EDT
  10. The New York TimesThe New DNA Technology That Linked Ted Bundy to a 52-Year-Old Cold CaseThu, Oct 29, 4:55 PM EDT

This story was written by AI using only the reports listed above, and published without a person reviewing it first. It is rewritten as new reports arrive. Read the original reporting for full detail. Spot an error? Tell us.

Earlier versions (6)
  1. Thu, Oct 29, 6:05 AM EDT, 6 outlets: Detective says Ted Bundy may have more unknown victims after DNA link to Utah killing
  2. Wed, Oct 28, 5:05 AM EDT, 6 outlets: Utah authorities say DNA links Ted Bundy to 1974 killing of Melissa Ann Smith
  3. Tue, Oct 27, 6:05 PM EDT, 5 outlets: Utah authorities say DNA shows Ted Bundy killed Melissa Ann Smith in 1974
  4. Tue, Oct 27, 4:30 PM EDT, 4 outlets: Utah authorities use DNA to link Ted Bundy to 1974 killing of Melissa Ann Smith
  5. Tue, Oct 27, 4:10 PM EDT, 3 outlets: Authorities close 1974 Utah cold case, name Ted Bundy as killer of Melissa Ann Smith
  6. Tue, Oct 27, 2:55 PM EDT, 2 outlets: Utah prosecutor links Ted Bundy to 1974 killing of Melissa Ann Smith