DNA Evidence Closes 50-Year-Old Cold Case Linking Ted Bundy to Utah Teenager

Key points

• Summit County Sheriff Kacey Bates and County Attorney Margaret Olson officially closed the 1974 murder case of Melissa Ann Smith on October 27, 2026.
• The closure was achieved through DNA evidence linking Bundy to Smith, supported by the 'pattern, motive, means, and opportunity' of his known crimes.
• The investigation utilized a highly similar DNA profile found in Smith’s autopsy, which matched evidence from the Laura Aime case resolved in April 2026.
• Smith’s body was discovered by hunters on October 27, 1974, exactly 52 years before the announcement.
• Investigators continue to work on the unsolved case of 16-year-old Nancy Wilcox, whom Bundy confessed to killing but who lacks definitive DNA confirmation.

Background

This announcement follows the April 2026 resolution of the Laura Aime case, which provided the crucial DNA link for the Smith investigation. Bundy, executed in 1989 for the 1978 Chi Omega sorority house murders, has had his victim count grow through modern forensic advances. His 1978 arrest in Florida yielded a blood vial that was later entered into the FBI database, enabling these recent matches. The case of Nancy Wilcox, a 1974 victim, remains open despite Bundy’s prior confession, as authorities seek physical evidence to confirm the link.

How outlets are covering it

All four sources agree on the core facts: the closure of the Melissa Ann Smith case via DNA and the involvement of multiple Utah law enforcement agencies. KSL News provided the most granular details, including the specific date of the body’s discovery (October 27, 1974) and the recognition of late investigator Alan Siddoway. CBS News and CNN focused heavily on the procedural aspect, noting that Smith’s next of kin were notified but did not attend the press conference. NBC News initially withheld the victim’s name before the full details emerged, highlighting the preliminary nature of the announcement. While all outlets confirm the DNA link, KSL emphasized the ongoing effort to solve the Nancy Wilcox case, whereas CBS and CNN focused more on the historical context of Bundy’s 1989 execution and his final confessions.

Why it matters

This case illustrates the enduring impact of forensic preservation and DNA technology on solving historical crimes. It demonstrates how evidence collected decades ago can yield definitive results, providing closure to families and updating the historical record of one of America’s most prolific serial killers. The continued investigation into other cases, such as Nancy Wilcox, underscores that Bundy’s legacy remains a subject of active law enforcement work, not just historical curiosity.

What to watch

Investigators will continue to pursue the Nancy Wilcox case, seeking physical evidence to corroborate Bundy’s confession. Authorities may also re-examine other unsolved cases from the 1970s in Utah, Idaho, and Colorado using the same DNA comparison methods. The closure of the Smith case may prompt further reviews of cold cases in the region, potentially leading to additional attributions to Bundy or other perpetrators.