Once inside the vehicle, Carol expected him to drive straight to State Street and head for the police station. But instead of doing this, Bundy did a U-turn, drove to the main road running behind the mall, turned left, and within a minute, he stopped in front of the McMillan Elementary School and attacked her. Carol now knew she was in a fight for her life.
Murray Police Department
Victim: Carol DaRonch
Location of occurrence: Sears Lot FPM (Fashion Place Mall)
Victim 1: Carol DaRonch, Age 18, Works for Mt. Bell, 205 East 200 So.
Victim’s car: 1974 black/red Camaro KAD 032
Suspect 1: WM, 25–30 years, brown hair, medium length, approx. 6’0, thin to medium build, mustache neatly trimmed. Wearing green pants and sports jacket, color unknown. Patent leather, shiny black shoes. Very polite, opened doors for victim. Gave victim name of Officer Roseland, and seems to victim that first name started with a “D” however, cannot remember the first name.
Suspect vehicle: Light blue or white Volkswagen, older model in fairly beat up condition. Victim did not see license plate. Victim stated that the rear seat, the top is ripped and the stuffing is coming out. Victim does not remember seeing any stickers or emblems on the vehicle. Can remember nothing else about the vehicle.
Weapon used: Small handgun, type and caliber unknown. Handgun described as being a little larger than a starter pistol. Is not known by victim if the handgun was a revolver or an automatic. Suspect had handgun in his jacket pocket and believed that suspect held handgun in the right hand. Victim was shown pictures of revolvers and automatics and different type weapons and still unable to determine exact type model weapon used. (Author’s note: during my research for my first book, I was told by a member of the prosecutor’s team that they had doubts that Bundy used a handgun, despite Carol’s insistence he did. I did not ask him why they felt this way, but perhaps it stems from her apparent confusion described above.)
Another weapon used was described as a crowbar, approx. 1 ½ ft. long. This was held by the suspect in his left hand.
Evidence obtained: One pair of handcuffs. They are Gerocal A brand, made in Taiwan. Have no serial number and identifying marks on the handcuffs. Detective Joel Riet dusted the handcuffs for prints, obtained some. Also, Detective Riet attempted to obtain prints from the door knob of the laundromat, which will be explained later in the body of the report, with negative results, and will make contact with complainant tomorrow to try to obtain fingerprints off the right-side door of the victim’s vehicle. Door was wet from rain this evening. Victim’s father was going to place the vehicle in his garage, keep it until tomorrow until Detective Riet can make contact and obtain prints.
Missing items: One brown leather purse, has a zipper top, medium-sized purse, had a shoulder strap. Also, being brown leather, which is held by two gold rings. Inside the purse was one woman’s gold wallet. This was fold over brushed leather. Value $5.00. Wallet contained approx. $20.00 cash. This will be one five, one ten, and some ones and change. Identification in the purse will be victim’s Mountain Bell tag, has her name and social security on it. Also, her house keys and car keys. Also, two layaway slips that would have had victim’s name and address on them. One is from the Nobby and one is from Rafters which is uptown. There is no other identification in the wallet. No checks or credit cards. Victim was advised to have the locks on her vehicle and also locks on her home changed.
Witnesses: Victim was picked up on approx. 5800 South 300 East by a Mr. T Walsh, 144 5600 South. Mr. Walsh and some of his family picked victim up and brought her into our office. At the time of this report (????) conversation with Mr. Walsh, however, dispatcher did talk to him. Mr. Walsh stated they did not see anyone else in the area besides victim. Detective Riet was given this information for follow up.
SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT
I had just come 1024 from case 10180 when I was informed by Officer Hoffman that there had been a kidnapping, that the victim was presently in our office. I was given a description of the suspect vehicle by Officer Hoffman that the vehicle was last seen in the area of McMillan School which is 5900 South 300 East. I then proceeded to this area and started checking the area. I asked the dispatcher to have Officer Peterson who was in the office to get a description of the suspect and vehicle and put it out to our officers and all other agencies as quickly as possible. Myself and Officer Hoffman checked the area for a few minutes.
I then came into our office where I talked to the victim, Carol DaRonch. In talking to the victim, she stated at approx. 7:00 p.m. this date she went to the Fashion Place Mall and parked her vehicle on the west side of Sears and walked into Sears. This being through southwest doors. She then proceeded into the mall through Sears, walked down towards Castleton’s and down toward Auerbach’s. While in the mall she stopped and talked to some cousins for a few minutes. She then turned around and was proceeding back when she was approached by suspect near Walden’s bookstore. At this time, she had been in the mall approx. 10 or 15 minutes.
Suspect approached victim and asked her if she had a car in the parking lot on the west side of Sears. She told him yes, he then asked for her license number. At this time she told him. He then told her he was a police officer and a suspect had been caught breaking into her car with a pry wire and that he wanted to accompany her back to her vehicle to see if anything was missing; also to see if she could identify the suspect. The victim walked back through the mall into Sears and out the Sears doors into the parking lot with suspect. At this time she checked her vehicle by unlocking driver’s side and looking in and could see that everything appeared to be O.K. There was no damage to her vehicle. Nothing missing. At this time suspect asked her to open up the passenger side door, that he wanted to check inside. She told him no, it would not be necessary, she could see that everything was there, however, suspect did, she believes, touch the door handle and try and open the vehicle.
At this time suspect stated that he would like her to accompany him to the other side of the mall where he believes the car prowl suspect would be located, that she could identify him and sign a complaint. At this time, she proceeded with suspect back through Sears and out into the east parking lot. Suspect looked around, stated that the burglary suspect must have been taken to the Murray Police substation. At this time suspect asked her to accompany him to the Murray Police substation. They then walked through the parking lot, went back into the mall through the main doors on the east side of the parking lot, just north of Castleton’s. Proceeded through the mall. Proceeded out into the mall parking lot and across 6100 South to a laundromat which is on the north side of 6100 South, the address of the laundromat is 139 East 6100 South.
At this time suspect told victim that this was the Murray substation at the mall and he believed the burglary suspect would be located there and she could sign a complaint. He then (Author’s note: left off report, but probably “tried”) the door. This door is on the southeast corner of the laundromat. Appears to be a door to a maintenance room. Has the number 139 just above the door. The door was locked. The suspect did touch the door. Detective Riet tried to obtain prints with negative results.
At this time suspect told victim that they would have to go to the main Murray Police Department, victim asked suspect for some identification, she had asked him once before in the mall. He just kind of laughed. While walking over she did look at a wallet badge which he produced. Badge is described as similar to Murray Police in shape. This was a miniature size badge, approx. half the size of our wallet badge. It appeared to be solid gold. The victim cannot remember engravings, or names or designs on the badge. She later picked out a similar type badge, out of the George F. Cake Company book for Detective Riet. See his supplement report.
After trying the door of the laundromat, both parties then walked to the suspect’s vehicle. Suspect then opened the door and let the victim in. Suspect then went into driver’s seat and put on his
seatbelt, told the victim to be sure to put on her seatbelt that it might make him nervous if people didn’t while he was driving. At this time, she said no she would not. He also made sure she locked her door. He then made a U-turn and proceeded up 6100 South to 300 East where he made a left turn and then proceeded north on 300 East to the area of approx. 5800 South 300 East in front of McMillan School. Suspect then pulled his vehicle over. This would be on the east side of the road.
The assault that then took place approx. 25 paces from the northwest corner of McMillan School/ 300 East. Location of assault was determined later by finding victim’s shoe laying in the gutter at this location. Victim stated that while in the vehicle, she could smell the odor of alcoholic beverage about the suspect. As the suspect pulled up and parked the vehicle, the victim tried to get out, at which time suspect reached over and grabbed her, started a scuffle. Suspect got out a pair of handcuffs, grabbed her by the right wrist, put the handcuff on her right wrist. At this time, she started fighting. The suspect was trying to handcuff both hands, however, ended up putting both handcuffs on right wrist. Victim kept fighting with suspect. At this time, suspect reached into his coat pocket. Pulled out a pistol which was described above, pointing the pistol at victim and told her if she did not stop struggling, he would shoot her. At this time, she struggled harder. Got the door open and managed to get outside. (Author’s note: the writer of this report must mean that Carol was attempting to get outside, but had NOT actually cleared the vehicle; making it a fight both partially within the VW and partially outside the vehicle, because once Carol was out of the car she immediately began running toward the approaching car lights, and she wouldn’t have been standing around waiting for Bundy to exit the VW and then grab the crowbar.)
At this time suspect also got out of the vehicle and approached her. At this time, he picked up a crowbar, had the crowbar in his left hand and was raising it as though to strike, at this time victim grabbed a hold of the crowbar and started pushing and shoving with suspect. Victim believed that she scratched suspect, probably on either the hands or arms, that she did notice some blood on her hands that must have come from suspect, that she was not injured herself. However, she does not remember actually hurting the suspect. Victim struggled with suspect, finally breaking and running and running out into the middle of the road where she flagged down witnesses described above who brought her to our office. Witnesses did not remember seeing anybody else in the area. Victim came to our office where Officer Peterson removed handcuffs from her wrist. Stated both handcuffs were in place when victim arrived.
In talking to victim, she states she believes she could identify suspect if she saw him again, that she spent approx. 20 to 30 minutes with him in the mall and walking through the parking lot and in the vehicle. Victim last saw suspect going eastbound on 5900 South. Victim believes her purse was still in the suspect’s car.
I later returned to the area with victim where we did locate her shoe in the gutter described in the above report. Victim states that suspect did not make any sexual advances toward her, did not indicate any of his intentions. Also stated that (he) had no unusual features and had no accent. The voice, nothing unusual about the voice, suspect did identify himself as a Murray Police Officer. Victim was questioned by Detective Joel Riet – see his supplement report. Also, was shown pictures from the sex transcript with negative results. Detective Riet will do a follow up. A search of the area of McMillan School on 5900 South was done by all officers and reserve officers on foot. Looking for possible evidence or victim’s purse with negative results.
Victim’s father was going to talk to cousins who victim talked to in the mall to see if they remember possibly any men loitering around her or following her, that he would call back if there was any information and give us their names and addresses, however, we have not heard from him. Appears this would be negative. This case can be considered open.
DO NOT RELEASE THE VICTIM’S NAME UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!!!!
Again, from the King County report prepared for the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, what follows is a report that is titled: CHILDHOOD, and it contains some interesting names, places, and other facts pertaining to Bundy’s childhood and continuing into his adult years:
BORN: 11-24-46 at Burlington Vermont as THEODORE ROBERT COWELL
PARENTS (Unwed): ELEANOR LOUISE COWELL and JACK WORTHINGTON
Surname changed on 10-6-50 to: NELSON in Philadelphia
ELEANORE and “TED” moved to Tacoma and lived with JOHN COWELL
FAMILY 3-19-51:
ELEANOR LOUISE NELSON and JOHN CULPEPPER BUNDY (Married) in Tacoma (Washington)
Stepbrothers: Glen – age 20, Richard – age 13
Stepsisters: Linda – age 22, Sandy – age 18
ADDRESS: 3214 North 20th, Tacoma
SCHOOLS: Graduated from Wilson H.S. – 1965, Attended Hunt Jr. High, Attended Geiger Elem. (Res. 658 N. Skyline Dr.), Attended Stanley Elem. (Res. 1620 South Sheridan)
COLLEGE: Started at University of Puget Sound September 1965
EMPLOYMENT: Tacoma City Light – June / September
BEHAVIOR: Students in Jr. and Sr. High Gym classes found him masturbating and threw water on him. Age 13 – he was naïve about sex and had a violent temper. Left-handed, left-eyed. Babyish actions in 5th grade. Mischievous. Liked to do superior work. Didn’t like to be singled out for discipline.
ACCIDENT: 3-29-65- reported being in a car wreck the previous Friday might and had headache; scratches on face.
Later in life, Bundy would again be noticed for having scratches on his face; scratches caused by a female fighting for her life. As such, these ‘scratches’ may not, in my mind, be connected to an auto accident.
COLLEGE:
At University of Puget Sound - Jan. – June.
Living with parents.
Summer Job: (Author’s note: job missing here)
COLLEGE:
At U of W. Sept. – Dec.
Living – McMahon Hall.
FRIENDS:
DIANE EDWARDS
MARLEIGH STEWART
LARRY
EMPLOYMENT:
Tacoma City Light June – Sept.
COLLEGE:
At University of Washington Jan. to June.
COLLEGE:
Stanford University – June to August.
Res. Palo Alto.
COLLEGE:
At U. of W. Sept. to Dec.
RESIDENCE:
5015 16th N.E.
FRIENDS:
DIANE EDWARDS – broke off relationship.
EMPLOYMENT:
Started 9/67 at Seattle Yacht Club and left 1-13-68.
1-20-67 Sent transcript to University of Colorado.
7-8-67 Had dinner in San Francisco with DIANE.
1-20-67 U.W. transcripts sent to Stanford and Colorado.
1-31-67 Transcript sent to University of Michigan.
COLLEGE:
Registered for winter quarter but withdrew on 1-18-68.
ADDRESS:
873 N. 16th on Reg. card at U of W. (B.O.)
Also lived in apt. on 17th N.E. per Mrs. Ferris.
EMPLOYMENT:
Worked at Seattle Yacht Club till 1-13-68 and one or two dinners during November.
Safeway: 4-12 to 7-26 (Queen Anne)
REPUBLICAN PARTY:
Campaign worker Aug. – Nov.
And active with ART FLETCHER.
3/68 worked at Olympic Hotel as a bus boy – let go for theft from lockers.
Practiced British accent for MRS. FERRIS and borrowed her car.
Also had access to Beater V.W., grey.
10-30-68 Transcript sent to Temple University.
1968: DIANE EDWARDS: moved to San Francisco in March.
COLLEGE: Spring quarter at Temple Universi
ty, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
RESIDENCE: 4039 South Warner St.
RESIDENCE: Lafayette Hill, P.A. December 1969, Delaware County
Aunt Aude ______?
FRIENDS:
Showed up in San Francisco in spring with DIANE EDWARDS stayed in Mendocino, California in motel.
Sept. 69: Met LIZ KLOEPFER.
EMPLOYMENT:
Started at Legal Messengers, Inc. 9/69 to 5/70.
RESIDENCE:
4143 12th N.E. – ROGERS’ House.
Fractured right ankle in Philadelphia.
OUT – OF – STATE:
Christmas 1969 – to Ogdon, Utah with friends of MARY CHINO, stayed with LIZ’s parents. On way to Temple he visited COWELL’s parents in Arkansas. Went to Ogdon/MRS. FERRIS – winter time.
FALL:
Goes to traffic school for bad driving record.
SUMMER:
Borrowed LIZ’s car to go to Richmond with SUSAN REED, SUSAN REED says they never went there.
9-24-70 Changed major from Far East to Psychology.
COLLEGE:
Reentered U of W June to Dec.
RESIDENCE:
4143 12th N.E.
FRIENDS:
LIZ KLOEPFER
EMPLOYMENT:
Jan. to May with Legal Messengers, Inc.
June 5 to 12-31-71 – Pedline – U District.
OUT–OF-STATE:
8-20-70 Citation in Marin County, California.
8-29 to 9-4-70 – Trip to Ogden, Utah with LIZ.
Drove through Yakima – Baker, Oregon and to Utah.
Didn’t go through Portland or Vancouver.
COLLEGE:
At U of W. Jan through Dec including summer quarter.
RESIDENCE:
4143 12th N.E.
Ted Bundy's Murderous Mysteries Page 15
