THE MESSED UP TRUTH ABOUT TED BUNDY'S FANGIRLS
By JENNIFER DEUTSCHMANN
History - Science
Throughout the mid-to-late 1970s, Ted Bundy traveled throughout the United States killing at least 30 women in seven different states. Despite abducting, raping, dismembering, and killing his many victims, Bundy gained a loyal following of women whose adoration of him is likely because of their trauma-bonding, fantasies, delusions, and conditioning by the media.
Author Sheila Isenberg suggests many women who romanticize killers like Ted Bundy were abused in past relationships and have been conditioned to seek difficult relationships. In addition to often denying the convicted killers could commit the crimes, Isenberg suggests they find the challenges of being involved with an inmate to be exciting or thrilling.
Bundy's fans only knew him through media reports, formed ideas about who he was without ever having met him, and believed they had the power to change Bundy. Additionally, some women view inmates like Bundy as a “perfect” boyfriend since they are incarcerated, unlikely to cheat, and are lonely or bored enough to maintain constant contact.