Wiktor Wise
On January 24, 1989, Ted Bundy, one of America's most notorious serial killers, died by electric chair at Florida State Prison. His execution was a national event, with onlookers outside the prison gates and millions of viewers watching from home. Bundy confessed to 36 murders, but experts believe the body count was higher. The night before his execution, Bundy spent time in prayer and said his goodbyes to loved ones. He refused a special last meal and was given a standard one, which he barely touched. He was led into the execution room at 7 a.m., where he was strapped into the electric chair, also known as Old Sparky.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Execution | 24 January 1989 |
| Age at Death | 42 |
| Time of Execution | Around 7 a.m. |
| Location of Execution | Florida State Prison, Raiford, Florida |
| Type of Execution | Electrocution |
| Last Meal | Steak, eggs, hash browns, and toast |
| Last Words | "Jim and Fred, I'd like you to give my love to my family and friends." |
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What You'll Learn
Ted Bundy's last meal
On the eve of his execution, Ted Bundy called his mother twice and rejected a special last meal of his choice. He was, therefore, served a standard meal of steak, eggs, hash browns, and toast around 4:50 am. However, he didn't eat any of the food, and died on an empty stomach.
Bundy's last meal was offered to him on a Tuesday, the day of his execution, January 24, 1989. He was 42 years old at the time and was executed in the electric chair at Florida State Prison in Raiford.
Bundy was sentenced to death for the 1978 rape and murder of 12-year-old Kimberly Leach of Lake City, Florida, as well as the murders of two Florida State University students, Margaret Bowman and Lisa Levy. He confessed to 36 murders, but experts believe the number of his victims was higher.
The night before his execution, Bundy reportedly spent his time crying and praying. He sat down for a tearful interview with a psychologist and religious broadcaster, James Dobson, and confessed to several murders in his final days. Bundy's last words were directed at his attorney, Jim Coleman, and Methodist minister Fred Lawrence: "Jim and Fred, I'd like you to give my love to my family and friends."
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The electric chair's nickname
The electric chair has been used as a symbol of the death penalty and is considered a part of American culture and folklore. It is also known for its ironic nicknames, which vary from state to state. For instance, in New York, it was called "Old Sparky", a name that was first used at Sing Sing prison for a mass execution in 1891. The nickname "Old Sparky" was also used in the Netflix series Ratched, although the state in which the series is set, California, has never used the electric chair. Louisiana's electric chair was nicknamed "Gruesome Gertie", while the electric chairs in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee were called "Old Smokey". Alabama's electric chair was known as "Yellow Mama".
Other nicknames for the electric chair include "The Toaster", "The Hot Seat", "Sizzling Sally", and "The Fuse Box". The execution itself is sometimes referred to as "riding the lightning". While the electric chair was once a common method of execution in the United States, it has been largely replaced by lethal injection, which is now the primary method of execution in all states that use the death penalty.
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Bundy's final words
Ted Bundy's final words were addressed to his lawyer, Jim Coleman, and Fred Lawrence, a Methodist minister. Bundy said: "Jim and Fred, I'd like you to give my love to my family and friends."
Bundy's execution was a national event, with onlookers outside the prison gates and millions of viewers watching from home. Bundy was executed in the electric chair at Florida State Prison on January 24, 1989, at around 7 a.m. He was 42 years old. Bundy was convicted of several murders, including the 1978 rape and murder of 12-year-old Kimberly Leach of Lake City, Florida, as well as two women from Florida State University, Margaret Bowman and Lisa Levy. He confessed to 36 murders, but experts believe he was responsible for many more. Bundy spent nine years on death row, appealing his sentence.
The night before his execution, Bundy called his mother twice and had a tearful interview with a psychologist and religious broadcaster, James Dobson. Bundy also spent time in prayer and said goodbye to his loved ones. He refused a special final meal and was given a standard meal of steak, eggs, hash browns, and toast, which he barely touched.
Bundy appeared uneasy before his death. He was strapped into a large oak chair, with his head and right leg shaved for the electrodes. He looked startled and failed to maintain eye contact. His body stiffened and pressed against the chair back as the electric current was turned on. After less than two minutes, the executioner turned off the current, and Bundy was pronounced dead at 7:16 a.m.
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Public reaction to his execution
The public reaction to Ted Bundy's execution was varied, but it largely consisted of celebration and macabre festivity. Outside the Florida State Prison, crowds of people gathered to cheer, sing songs, and set off fireworks. Fraternity students at Florida State University, where Bundy had murdered two women, served "Bundy burgers" and "electrified hot dogs" under a banner that read, "Watch Ted Fry, See Ted Die." Similar celebrations were held across the country, including a "Bundy-cue" barbecue in Mountain Brook, Alabama, organised in support of capital punishment. T-shirts commemorating the event were also sold.
The media described the public's desire to witness Bundy's death as reaching a "fever pitch" after it became clear he had brutally murdered dozens of people, including 12-year-old Kimberly Leach. Bundy's execution was a national event, with millions of viewers tuning in from home, and reporters covering the story from outside the prison gates.
However, Bundy's death was not universally celebrated. His body was cremated without a public ceremony, and his brain was studied for signs of physical abnormalities that could explain his violent behaviour, but none were found.
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Bundy's final interviews
In the days leading up to his execution, Ted Bundy gave a series of interviews in which he confessed to kidnapping, rape, murder, necrophilia, and corpse mutilation. In these interviews, Bundy also offered to share the locations of the remains of unknown victims in exchange for delaying his execution. However, it is reported that he never mentioned his motivations and there were no significant revelations.
In one interview with the FBI a few days before his execution, Bundy described the kidnapping and murder of a University of Washington freshman, which he claimed was the most bizarre thing he had ever done. This was the first time he had spoken about this crime, and he revealed the mental games he played while taunting the police.
The night before his death, Bundy was interviewed by religious broadcaster James Dobson, who reported that Bundy wept multiple times and expressed remorse for his actions. Bundy's last words were addressed to his lawyer, Jim Coleman, and Fred Lawrence, a minister, to whom he said: "I'd like you to give my love to my family and friends."
An upcoming book, based on 150 hours of interviews with Bundy, will provide further insight into the serial killer's thoughts and actions.
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Frequently asked questions
Ted Bundy died by electric chair on January 24, 1989, at the age of 42.
Bundy's last words were addressed to his lawyer, Jim Coleman, and Fred Lawrence, a minister: "Jim and Fred, I'd like you to give my love to my family and friends."
Bundy's execution was a national event with millions of viewers watching from outside the prison gates and from home. There were celebrations around the country, including a planned barbecue in Mountain Brook, Alabama, hosted by two police officers. Hundreds of revelers outside the prison gates set off fireworks, cheered, and banged pots and pans.
