Post by JoannaL on Nov 12, 2020 18:18:49 GMT -5
Richard Bundy Still Feels Ted's 'Debilitating' Influence
Ted Bundy’s half-brother Richard “Rich” Bundy, is probably the immediate family member most impacted by the serial killer’s wanton lack of regard for human life, and the one who continues to be haunted by a man he had grown up believing was a loving, almost inspirational, figure.
Bundy was electrocuted in Florida on January 24, 1989, 31 years ago, for his last murder, that of 12-year-old Kimberly Diane Leach, whom he abducted from her middle school in Lake City. In total, he is believed to have killed as many as 30 young women and girls, some of whom he decapitated.
Bundy’s crimes and eventual execution became a media spectacle. Hundreds gathered outside the prison before daybreak to await confirmation that he had paid the ultimate price for the horrors he had committed in as many as seven states. When the announcement came, people cheered. Many considered his death the end to a reign of terror.
The immediate families and close friends of the women he killed, and those who survived his attacks, number in the hundreds. Add to this law enforcement personnel and members of the legal profession involved in his trials and appeals and the number reaches the thousands.
However, Rich Bundy is seldom counted among those who have suffered vicariously at the hands of Ted Bundy. Richard was younger than Bundy and idealized his big brother. Despite the age difference, while they were growing up in Tacoma, the siblings were almost inseparable. The two remained close even after Ted left home to attend the University of Washington in Seattle, often going camping and boating and engaging in other activities. When Ted was dating Elizabeth Kloepfer, Rich sometimes tagged along on picnics and other outings. Those who knew the brothers often remarked upon how close they were.
Nonetheless, Rich recalled an occasion when he was visiting in Seattle that Ted inexplicably sent him home early, claiming he had something “important to do.” Another time, he recalled seeing an expression on his brother’s face he had never seen before, a look that conveyed he was “horrified” or “disgusted” about something.
Then after Bundy’s arrest in Salk Lake City, Utah, in August 1975, everything began falling apart. Even after he was picked out of a lineup by Carol DaRonch, whom he was accused of kidnaping at a shopping mall, Rich desperately wanted to believe his brother was innocent of the charges against him. Ted wasn’t the sort of man who kidnaped young women. But others, including Judge Stewart Hanson Jr., were convinced he was capable of such things and Ted Bundy was convinced of aggravated kidnaping and sentenced to a prison term of 15 years.
According to Richard, even a half-century later, he cannot bear to look at childhood photos of Ted and himself and tries not to think of the good times they had. Today, there are no pictures or other reminders of his big brother in the tiny trailer he calls home.
“Some things make me really depressed, almost in a debilitating way,” he admitted. “I will sit in this chair for days. I’ll sometimes stay in this camper for two, three days at a time. I don’t know. I’m not really afraid of not having a normal life. I’ve gotten used to life being [this way]. I don’t recommend it to everyone, to live life precariously, but if I know I have enough to keep shelter and food for my cat and I, that’s the most important thing.”
In addition to Rich, Ted had another half-brother, Glen, and two half-sisters, Linda and Sandra, all of whom declined to participate in the documentary.
Sources: Akishay Pai, MEAWW, January 30, 2020; Ted Bundy: Falling for a Killer; and Pulse, January 31, 2020.
