What happened to Ted Bundy’s wife, Carole Ann Boone?
Ted Bundy remains one of the most notorious figures in true crime history, captivating and horrifying people in equal measure. Among the many stories intertwined with his life is that of Carole Ann Boone, his wife and the mother of his only child. Their relationship paints a complex picture of love, loyalty, and tragedy.
Born in 1947, Carole Ann Boone had a seemingly ordinary life before crossing paths with Bundy. At the time they met in 1974, she was grappling with a failing second marriage and raising her young son while working at the Department of Emergency Services in Washington, where Bundy was interning. Their friendship blossomed, remaining platonic even after Bundy left Washington.
When Boone learned of Bundy’s arrest in 1975, she was in disbelief. During the police investigation, she defended him, speaking only positively about her friend. This unwavering support would continue throughout Bundy’s trial and imprisonment, despite the horrific nature of his crimes.
Their relationship was later chronicled in the book Conversations with a Killer by Stephen Michoud and Hugh Aynesworth, which included letters exchanged between the two and interviews that revealed Boone’s perspective on Bundy. This narrative also inspired the Netflix docuseries Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes.
As Bundy’s trial for the murder of 12-year-old Kimberly Leach approached in 1980, Boone was determined to marry him. When their request for a traditional wedding ceremony was denied by the Orange County Jail, Boone insisted on a creative workaround. In Florida, the only requirement for marriage is the exchange of vows in front of a court official. Boone was called as a witness during Bundy’s defense, and through a series of questions, Bundy proposed to her, and she accepted.
Following Bundy’s execution in 1989, Boone faded from public view, likely due to the stigma and shame associated with her support of one of America’s most infamous serial killers. She changed her name and her daughter’s, opting for a fresh start away from the shadow of Bundy’s legacy. Boone remained largely anonymous, surfacing only briefly to share some of Bundy’s letters with Dr. Dorothy Lewis, a psychiatrist who studied him.
Carole Ann Boone passed away in a Seattle nursing home at the age of 70 in 2018. The circumstances surrounding her death are somewhat unclear, and her daughter, Rosa, has chosen to maintain her privacy, with little known about her life after Bundy’s execution.
Boone’s story is a poignant reminder of the complexities of human relationships, particularly when intertwined with the darkest aspects of human nature. While many view Bundy with disgust and horror, Boone’s enduring love and loyalty illustrate the tragic consequences of her devotion.
