DNA testing confirms Ted Bundy killing

Reporter: Rich Kolko
Published: Updated:
Ted Bundy. (Credit: WINK News)
Ted Bundy. (Credit: WINK News)

DNA testing is now helping confirm serial killer Ted Bundy murdered a teenager in Utah back in the 1970’s.

Authorities said Debra Kent, 17, disappeared in November 1974. Shortly before his execution in 1989, Bundy admitted he killed Kent and told police where he left her body.

But, police never found her remains. Only a piece of bone that was returned to the Kent family.

Testing protocols have improved over the years. Old evidence once sitting on shelves can now be sent off to labs to get DNA testing done.

DNA testing was seen in a recent case where they took a piece of bone that was sitting in a box in Mom’s home for 30 years and sent it off to a lab at the University of North Texas with some family DNA samples.

“With technological advancements, that time frame has been reduced significantly,” said retired FBI Agent Bret Hood, “so you can get an answer much more quickly.”

Homicide Detectives are determined to close every case. As technology continues to improve, you are going to see more of these cold cases get resolved.

DNA testing resources

For more information about DNA testing, these are some resources:

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