Elizabeth Kloepfer: The Woman Behind Ted Bundy's Dark Legacy

Elizabeth "Liz" Kloepfer, the long-time girlfriend and former fiancé of infamous serial killer Ted Bundy, has lived a life intertwined with darkness and complexity. Nearly 40 years ago, she vanished from the public eye, but before her silence, she penned a memoir titled The Phantom Prince: My Life with Ted Bundy. This book dives into her turbulent six-year relationship with Bundy, revealing a juxtaposition of love and horror.

In her memoir, Kloepfer recounts the captivating yet chilling moments of her life with Bundy, who led a double life as a charming partner and a notorious criminal. Though Bundy confessed to murdering 36 women, many believe the true count could be as high as 100, leaving a haunting legacy that Kloepfer had to grapple with. Her story is not just about Bundy’s heinous acts but also her personal journey of love, dependency, and struggle.

Published in 1981 under the pseudonym Elizabeth Kendall, Kloepfer's memoir offers a candid look at her vulnerabilities and the complexities of their relationship. The narrative begins with their first meeting in a Seattle bar in 1969, capturing the chemistry that drew her to Bundy, as well as the confusion and fear that followed as she uncovered his dark side. The memoir ultimately serves as a reflection on love, dependency, and the emotional turmoil of being associated with a serial killer.

Kloepfer's Journey: A Search for Love and Stability

In her memoir, Kloepfer describes herself as a shy, insecure, and lonely single mother who was desperately seeking love and stability. After moving from Ogden, Utah, to Seattle, she hoped to change her life’s trajectory. Unfortunately, she was battling alcoholism and struggling to provide a stable environment for her young daughter, Tina.

During this tumultuous time, she found work as a secretary at the University of Washington Medical School. One fateful night, a friend encouraged her to take a break from her responsibilities and enjoy a night out at a bar. Unbeknownst to her, this decision would lead her to Bundy, who she initially approached out of concern for his apparent sadness.

As they began to talk, Kloepfer felt a strong connection to Bundy, leading to their rapid progression into a romantic relationship. She recalls handing over her life to him, saying, “Here. Take care of me.” This dependency would become a central theme in her life as she navigated the emotional highs and lows of their relationship.

The Complexity of a Volatile Relationship

Throughout their time together, Kloepfer experienced the emotional roller coaster of Bundy's affections. She described moments of warmth and love, quickly followed by coldness and confusion. “We would be getting along fine and then a door would slam,” she wrote, capturing the unpredictability of Bundy's moods.

In February 1970, Kloepfer expressed her desire to call Bundy "my husband Ted," leading them to obtain a marriage license. However, their plans were derailed when Kloepfer’s concerns about her conservative parents led her to ask Bundy to move his belongings out of her apartment. This request incited Bundy's anger, resulting in him tearing up the marriage license and walking away, illustrating the volatility of their love.

As the years progressed, Kloepfer began to suspect that Bundy was involved in the crimes dominating news headlines. Reports of missing women and details that matched Bundy’s characteristics left her with a sinking feeling. Despite her suspicions, she found it difficult to reconcile the man she loved with the monster that was being portrayed in the media.

The Unraveling: Confronting the Truth

By 1974, as news reports emerged of brutal murders in the area, Kloepfer's suspicions about Bundy grew stronger. Witnesses were mentioning “Ted,” and a Volkswagen that matched Bundy’s car, which left her conflicted. She began questioning him about strange behaviors, like finding a meat cleaver and surgical gloves in his possessions.

Despite her instincts, Bundy’s charm and intelligence often disarmed her, allowing him to evade her inquiries. Eventually, Kloepfer made the heart-wrenching decision to report her concerns to the police. Unfortunately, they did not take her seriously, leading her to maintain her relationship with Bundy, hiding her visit to the authorities.

Her inner turmoil escalated when Bundy attempted to take her life during an incident where he closed the fireplace damper and blocked smoke from escaping. Kloepfer vividly recounted her desperate attempts to survive that night, a chilling reminder of the danger she faced alongside her love for him.

Living with the Reality of a Serial Killer

After a tumultuous relationship that saw them drifting apart, Bundy eventually married Carole Ann Boone in 1980 while he was on trial for multiple murders. Kloepfer struggled to grasp the reality that the man she loved was also a serial killer. She battled alcoholism and relied on her faith to navigate these dark times.

In her memoir, Kloepfer reflects on the duality of Bundy’s character, describing him as "warm and loving" despite his horrific actions. This internal conflict continued to haunt her, as she prayed for Bundy’s soul while feeling repulsed by his crimes. The emotional scars from their relationship would stay with her long after they parted ways.

The story of Kloepfer and Bundy is a complex tapestry of love, betrayal, and horror that continues to captivate audiences. Her upcoming portrayal in the film Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, starring Zac Efron as Bundy, is set to bring renewed attention to her story and the chilling reality of living with a monster.