In Bundy’s time on death row before his January 1989 execution, he received a great number of letters from individuals all over the world, including a great deal of female admirers.

On November 15, 1986 Ted wrote a three-page letter to a friend whilst on deathwatch. The letter talks about Carole’s return to Seattle with Rosa as well as Ted’s views on the states determination to carry out the death sentences that he received for the murders of Lisa Levy, Margaret Bowman, and twelve-year-old Kimberly Dianne Leach.

Dear X,
Thank you for your August 12 letter. Since you wrote things have improved dramatically for Margot and Rosi, family and Carole have transplanted themselves and are now thriving in our native land.
I couldn’t be happier about how life is going in the Carson household. Well, winning a lottery would help, btu they’re all going pretty good as it is. Moving back to Seattle was the best thing to happen to Carole in years. It’s a vast improvement over the dreary scene in Florida. The move seems to have invigorated them. There’s no question in my mind that they should stay in Seattle. I’ll miss them but I’ll not much, knowing they are back home where they should be in our beloved Pacific Northwest.
I’m fine. I’ve become accustomed to people trying to kill me, though I’m looking for a way to convince them they shouldn’t. This is life. I expect to make it past the next date, November 18, that they’d planned to kill me. If I don’t, adios.
Please keep in touch with Margot, Carole, etal. I know that you are very special to them.
peace
ted

One letter dated January 17, 1989 is from Dawn, and reads as follows:

January 17, 1989
Dearest Ted,
I just heard the worst possible news a few hours ago (about the warrant being signed). I was totally shocked because I hadn’t expected this until next week- the governors office gave me the wrong date.
I am extremely distraught right now.
I don’t know how I am going to live with this.
I’m far too upset to say too much at the moment, but I wanted to make sure you get this in time.
Ted, I want you to remember that I’ll be there right beside you when you go to meet your destiny.
I love you and just want you to know how much you men to me and have changed my life,
Dawn.

January 18, 1989
Dearest Ted,
I’m sending this to you just in case they don’t get you the telegram I sent.
I don’t know exactly what to say except that I am in a total state of shock and beyond consolation. I really feel as if I am going to die on Tuesday, too.
I guess I kind of expected this, but I’m still not prepared. There’s so much I wanted to sy to you if this time ever came.
Now, it is here and there isn’t enough time to say or do much.
I feel guilty in a way because I never even got to meet you, and I can’t imagine what your wife and family must be going through right now.
Ted, I would very much like to talk to you. I know this is a very hectic time right now but PLEASE can you call me? – COLLECT at 416.249.47** this Friday after 3 PM or Saturday after 10 AM.
I really need to speak to you. Please!
Dawn

When I first read this following letter, written by a female admirer named Shani Moore shortly before Ted’s execution, I couldn’t help comparting it to Liz after first meeting him, already dreaming of weddings and picking out baby names from day one. Ted really did have a way of drawing women in. Whether they truly believed in his innocence, or whether they were craven by that desperate urge to ‘fix him,’ I honestly don’t know. Either way, it’s still incredible to read.

Jan 18
Dear Ted,
I was very sorry to hear the date has been set for your execution. I have followed your date for nearly ten years now, since the ‘sorority trial’ was shown on out local PBS station. I’ve read all the books, watched all the movies, and read any other article remotely connected with you.
I am now 28, and was myself a young college student at the time you began gaining national ‘attention.’ I have to admit the attraction and fascination towards you has not diminished. So, after reading about you this morning, I felt compelled to write.
My own theory is that part of you, a totally removed Ted, actually did commit these crimes. Unfortunately, the rest of you, the handsome and intelligent Ted, is also paying. It’s such a shame. As a single woman, I see so many of the same traits in you that I have been holding out for in a husband. Ironic, huh? I guess all the good ones really are taken (HA! HA!).
I don’t want you to misunderstand- I’m not one of those pathetic creatures that fantasize about criminals because they are so unhappy with their own lives. I am attractive and bright and my life is a good one, but I admit something about you touched as chord in me. I suppose there is something exciting about dangerous people. I’m not going to try and analyze it any further. I’ll just leave it at that.
Anyway, I wanted to implore you to fight to extend your time here. Perhaps if you offer to give a full account of a few of the crimes, tell them where some of the bodies could be found, or just imply you would be willing to. The families themselves would likely plead a stay if it meant finding the remains of their loved ones (also, I wouldn’t be surprised to learn you have had crimes attributed to you that were actually committed by the Green River Killer).
Ted, everyone already believes you did these things, and you’re certainly no threat to anyone on death row, so, do anything, say anything, but fight harder now than revery to stay alive! Your name will live on after you in connection with all this, but you have an opportunity to tell your own side.
With your knowledge of psychology, you could benefit a great many people by telling them not only your story but also your possible motives. However, if in fact you really don’t remember doing any of these things, I can only imagine the horror you have suffered all these years. If a secret part of you had to be protected by your conscious self. If that is the case, you are a victim as well and certainly don’t deserve death as a punishment.
I know this is very forward of me, but I just had to let you know that no matter what, there are people out there that care for you and wish you well. I have enclosed a few things: some paper, a stamped envelope, and a poem I wrote for you this morning. Words from you would mean a lot to me, but I understand the difficulties you face in the next few days, so let me just say that I sincerely hope prayers are answers and you will be around a lot longer to tell your story in your own words.
God Bless You, Ted.
Shani Moore

A GIANT thank you to the blog ‘Ted Bundy: I was Trying to Think Like an Elk’ for their translation of these letters.