Authorities in Utah have confirmed that Ted Bundy was responsible for the 1974 murder of 17-year-old Melissa Ann Smith, with DNA evidence closing a cold case that had remained unsolved for more than five decades. The announcement came exactly 52 years after a hunter discovered Smith's body in the woods.

Bundy, who was executed in 1989, is now confirmed to have killed at least 30 women and girls across multiple US states during the 1970s. Thanks to continued advances in forensic DNA testing, the number of cases formally attributed to him has kept growing long after his death.

DNA Evidence Closes a 52-Year-Old Cold Case

Summit County Attorney Margaret Olson told a news conference that investigators are satisfied Bundy was responsible for Smith's death. Beyond the DNA findings, Olson said the case bore the hallmarks of Bundy's "pattern, motive, means and opportunity."

The breakthrough came through a crucial DNA link between Smith and Laura Aime, another Bundy victim whose case was resolved earlier in Utah County. A highly similar DNA profile connected to Bundy was identified in evidence recovered from Smith's autopsy, according to Utah County Sergeant Mike Reynolds.

Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera emphasised the broader lesson the case carries. "This case demonstrates the importance of preserving evidence," she said. Officials confirmed they have been in contact with Smith's surviving family members, none of whom still live in the area.

A Legacy of Violence That Investigators Are Still Unravelling

Bundy was put to death by electric chair in Florida in 1989 for the 1978 murders of two women at the Chi Omega sorority house at Florida State University. In the days before his execution, he gave a series of confessions that revealed crimes previously unknown to police, though not all of those cases have since been confirmed.

Confirmed victims have been identified across Florida, Utah, Colorado, Idaho and Washington state. Investigators said they are now working to resolve the death of 16-year-old Nancy Wilcox, another likely Utah victim, as forensic capabilities continue to advance.

What the Closure Means for Victims' Families

For law enforcement, each confirmed case represents not just a legal milestone but a moment of recognition for victims and their loved ones. Sergeant Reynolds captured that sentiment at the news conference.

"With every case closure, may we stomp the memory of Ted Bundy out," he said.

Cold case investigations increasingly rely on preserved biological material from decades-old autopsies, and the Smith case highlights how evidence collected long before modern DNA technology can still yield definitive answers. Authorities have not indicated whether further Utah cases are under active review beyond the Wilcox investigation.