Tag: Ted Bundy

Why Are We So Obsessed With Ted Bundy?

Post author By Emily Wesley Stringer
Post date July 8, 2019
No Comments on Why Are We So Obsessed With Ted Bundy?

hot_bundy_netflix.ringer.0 — Don’t worry, I’m not a Bundy mark. Image.

Ted Bundy was one of the most prolific serial killers ever. If you are a murder blog, you already know this. Don’t close the tab and go back to memes just yet-I won’t be recounting his horrific crime spree.

Bundy has been a fascination for years, and rightly so. Ted Bundy is the gateway drug into true crime.

More than that, the story of Bundy’s crimes and his victims are a cautionary tale of the OG American monster; the serial killer. While serial killers are not specifically American, Bundy is the classic example of the creeping mutilator you’ve been warned about yet equally fascinated with for years.

As humans, we are naturally curious about the darker side of life. Now, thanks to the Internet, our fascination and inner weirdos are appreciated and celebrated by the like-minded.

While we read about, listen to hours of podcasts, and watch Oxygen specials about these often celebrated murderers, it’s important to remember the victims and those affected by their unthinkable actions.

I finally got around to watching Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile and was sorely disappointed and not because the movie was poorly made. As a fan of the burnt orange general grossness of the 1970s; it was great. From the striped sweater Ted (Zac Efron) wears during one of his escape scenes, to the macrame plant hangers, to the soundtrack, the film created a mood that inspired the era and the influx of serial killers that embodied it.

This movie also included a list of Bundy’s known victims at the end which I felt was a nice touch and something we need to see more of.

tumblr_oprbsqEIQN1w9vfvjo1_1280 — Real Ted and his sweater.

When it came to portraying Bundy and his story, it fell short. Parts of the film imply that Bundy was sympathetic character, as if the audience was supposed to question his involvement along with this girlfriend, Elizabeth (Lily Collins). Since we know the ending of the story, this tactic and portrayal of the character didn’t sit right with me.

What this movie lacks in actual Ted Bundy-ness (AKA murder) it makes up for with romance, juke box shots, and Lily Collins crying. If you’re going to make a Ted Bundy movie, then make a damn Ted Bundy movie!

Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile is a victim of hype. The weirdos on the Internet were talking about this movie for what seemed like years before the Netflix release. Like many others, I fell for the hype and was looking forward to it. Even with my disappointment, I was glad I saw it to mark if off my list.

Remember that time Zac Effron, the guy from High School Musical played Ted Bundy in a movie? Yeah, that was weird.

AAAABbJd2k-izukWyvq1tGiEqICKOydvq-cKx5rD0tOXSAdPB6zdE2WM4JiEx7RahLWzqnlc4MoHTktWNPxZAccyuGkKsNSkhPIoRw — Meanwhile, in 2019…

Tags Extremely Wicked, movies, Netflix, Serial Killers, Shockingly Evil and Vile, Ted Bundy

Random

Victimology

I apologize for the lack of posts lately. I have been working on a freelance job as well as finishing up 2 books. Writing is like, so hard.

Note: The following post is in no way meant to victim blame. This is just presenting facts.

In our PC laden culture, victimology can be a somewhat controversial topic as it can come across as victim blaming (see note above). However, the study and theories of victimology are extremely important in apprehending criminals.

Victimology is simply the study of victims in the criminal justice system and the connection between victims and perpetrators. This is a pretty basic, self-explanatory topic although it sounds much more complicated.

For example, Ted Bundy’s victims were college-aged girls often with long, brunette hair. Specific details about victims are used to create a victim profile which helps law enforcement track crimes. For a fictional example, take Dexter who’s victims are criminals and generally all around bad people.

This is a rather heavy topic and isn’t as fun as teenagers who think they are vampires and murder a bunch of people in Florida (where else would they do it?). Here’s a Dexter meme to lighten the mood.

5e0aec03ef74c5a5a2b23e1433747a0bfa7d2c62672888d3a11f565e2a14de42 — Sorry, not sorry.

Victimology comes with various sets of theories based upon the lifestyle and environments of potential victims. For example, drug users, sex workers, abuse victims, and individuals fitting into a criminal’s M.O. are all considered in victimology theories. The study of victimology also explores how perpetrators lure and groom victims based on these theories.

The study of victimology has led to the rise of the victims’ rights movement, which was nonexistent until the 1970s with the beginning of the Victims’ Rights Movement. In 2004, the Crime Victims’ Rights Act was passed ensuring victims of protection, restitution, etc.

Freakin’ 2004! Seriously, it shouldn’t surprise anyone it took so long to get something so basic and obvious into law. The Victims’ Rights Movement has been very successful in passing legislation to help victims and future generations.

Tags Dexter, Ted Bundy, victimology

Random Serial Killers

Murderabilia, or “why the hell is that in your house?”

Post author By Emily Wesley Stringer
Post date May 26, 2017
1 Comment on Murderabilia, or “why the hell is that in your house?”

Owning something collected from a crime scene or that was once owned by a famous murderer is the ultimate way to:

1. Keep your family and neighborhood children away from your house

2. Creep out your friends

3. Not get a second date

OR maybe find cool friends and the love of your life. Dean Martin was wrong, you are somebody when someone doesn’t love you, even if you have Ted Bundy’s Christmas card on your fridge.

Murderabilia is exactly what it sounds like- memorabilia collected from crime scenes and from the homes of murderers, personal effects, and artwork.

By far the famous pieces of murderabilia are the notorious Pogo the Clown paintings by everyone’s favorite KFC lovin’ serial killer, John Wayne Gacy.

john_wayne_gacy_painting_pogo1 — It was really only a matter of time before I ended up on darkvomit.com

Murderabilia is taking both true crime and trash vs. treasure to the extreme. While legal, the buying and selling of these items go hand in hand with the Son of Sam Law, which prohibits criminals from profiting from their crimes such as selling stories to journalists and publishers.

Instead, these macabre collectibles are sold through dealer sites. eBay banned the sale of such items in 2001. The concept alone sounds like something only the most depraved can access via the dark web. Surprisingly (or not), a Google search will lead the curious to these sites. eBay banned the sale of such items in 2001. The concept alone sounds like something only the most depraved can access via the dark web. Surprisingly (or not), a Google search will lead the curious to these sites.

To collectors, murderabilia is owning a piece of history. While collecting these oddities borders on illicit and would raise some eyebrows in conversation, the sale of these items isn’t about making money for the sellers. Many of these sites will donate to victims and their families.

The concept is interesting and intriguing. However, as someone who runs a true crime blog, collecting these items is taking it too far and borders on serial/mass murder glorification and sympathizing (more on that later). These items belong in a museum, not in the creepiest living room display case of all time.

You’re probably better off still hoarding Beanie Babies.

Tags John Wayne Gacy, Muderabilia, Pogo the Clown, Ted Bundy

Serial Killer Typology Serial Killers

Typologies of Serial Killers

Post author By Emily Wesley Stringer
Post date January 6, 2017
No Comments on Typologies of Serial Killers

The typology of a serial killer is exactly what you think it is. In order to track them, investigators must first have an understanding of how (and later why) they operate.

While there are several different types of serial killers and offenders, which I will get into in a later post, the most basic typology and the most widely used by investigators is the Holmes Typology. This is also known as the Organized/Disorganized Dichotomy and is also attributed to famed FBI Profiler Roy Hazelwood. Once the basic typology is documented, a more detailed subcategory can be assigned.

The HT classifies serial killers into 2 groups:

Organized and Disorganized

Organized serial killers live seemingly stable, normal lives. They are gainfully and skillfully employed, socially aware, highly intelligent, and often have families and regular friendships. These characteristics also spill over into how they commit their crimes. Organized killers plan their crimes well in advance, sometimes years.

They have a specific type of victim such as sex workers or individuals with a certain physical trait. These individuals are more likely to restrain victims, dispose of bodies in a discreet location, and remove a weapon from the crime scene. Their crimes are also usually not committed where they dispose of bodies, but are more likely to move bodies.

Since they are more socially skilled than their disorganized counterpart, these killers often have a social interaction with their victims. Little evidence is left behind at murders committed by organized killers.

Examples include: BTK, John Wayne Gacy

john-wayne-gacy-killer-clown — Any time I can post a picture of a creepy clown, I’m down. Rhyme intended. Pogo no longer does parties. Image via.

Disorganized serial killers tend to be drifters with a more spontaneous lifestyle. They are also more likely to commit other crimes along with murder, including drug use and necrophilia. Below average intelligence is a characteristic. They often suffer from some sort of sexual dysfunction and severe mental illness, which are the root causes of their crimes. Victims are random and usually do not fit a certain demographic or description. Disorganized killers will leave evidence behind at crime scenes, including blood, fingerprints, and the murder weapon. Crime scene locations are in close proximity to the killer and murders are committed at the location where the victim is found, hence the evidence left at the crime scene.

Examples include: Ottis Toole, Richard Chase a.k.a The Vampire of Sacramento.

FYI, if you never want to sleep again, do a search for Richard Chase. Nighty, nighty!

Then, of course, there’s Ted Bundy. You know you can’t mention serial killers without his name coming up. Teddy boy is actually a mixture of both typologies, even though he tends to lean towards organized more so than disorganized. However, based on his famous Florida murder spree in 1978, Bundy crossed over into disorganized territory with the random killings. Bundy’s affinity for necrophilia also puts him into the disorganized category.