True Crime: Ted Bundy Ted Bundy, who was born Theodore Robert Cowell on November 24, 1946, in Burlington, Vermont, is one of the most notorious serial killers in American history. His early life was by all means normal, but later he committed many gruesome crimes. Raised initially by his grandparents in Philadelphia, Bundy was led to believe that his biological mother, Eleanor, was actually his sister. This dishonesty created early feelings of distrust and betrayal in the eyes of Ted Bundy. Bundy showed behaviors in childhood that are often indicators of future violence, such as an attraction to knives and even guns. Despite these early signs, he maintained a high level of academic and social functioning. He was described by those who knew …show more content…
He felt more a spectator of human connections than a participant. This sense of detachment may have contributed to his lack of empathy, a trait commonly observed in psychopathic behaviors. Bundy’s choice of victims were mostly young, attractive women with long, dark hair parted in the middle. This suggests a targeted aggression that may have stemmed from his relationship with a former girlfriend, whom he deeply admired and who had similar physical features. This relationship, which ended abruptly, had a profound impact on Bundy, and many psychologists believe the rejection fueled his rage against women who resembled his ex-girlfriend. The manner in which Bundy committed his crimes also reveals significant psychological insight. He usually lured his victims by faking injury, using his charisma and his fake injury as a trap. This indicates a manipulative personality, capable of calculating and executing plans. Bundy’s later behavior during his trial was unusual. Some examples of this are him choosing to represent himself, reveling in the media attention, and displaying a narcissistic