Did you Know About Ted Bundy's Last Murder?

February 09, 2025

West Palm Beach, Fl - Ted Bundy's reign of terror came to an end in the small town of Lake City, Florida, marking the conclusion of one of America's most notorious criminal cases. The story of his final victim, twelve-year-old Kimberly Dianne Leach, and the prosecutor who brought him to justice offers a compelling look into this dark chapter of criminal history.

A Community Shattered

On a rainy February morning in 1978, Lake City, Florida experienced an event that would forever change its community. Kimberly Leach vanished from her middle school, triggering a seven-week search that ended in tragedy when her body was discovered in a farm shed near Suwannee River State Park. She had been sexually assaulted and murdered, becoming Bundy's final known victim.

The Culmination of a Murderous Spree

The timing of Kimberly's disappearance was particularly chilling. Just weeks earlier, Bundy had terrorized Florida State University, attacking five students and killing two sorority sisters. While authorities in Tallahassee were still investigating these brutal crimes, Kimberly's disappearance added new urgency to the manhunt.

Bundy's capture came through an unexpected source, a routine traffic stop in Pensacola for driving a stolen vehicle. What began as a simple arrest revealed the identity of America's most wanted fugitive.

Justice Through Dedication

George "Bob" Dekle, who served as an Assistant State Attorney in Florida's Third Judicial Circuit for three decades, led the prosecution in Bundy's 1980 Orlando murder trial. The eight-week trial featured 65 witnesses and compelling evidence, including fiber samples linking Bundy to both Kimberly and the van used in her abduction. A firefighter testified to witnessing Bundy forcing Kimberly from her school, while another young girl from Jacksonville shared her frightening encounter with him days before the kidnapping.

In a characteristic display of manipulation, Bundy proposed to his girlfriend during her testimony in the penalty phase. Despite this theatrical gesture, which resulted in a legally binding marriage due to an obscure Florida law, the jury remained unmoved.

The Final Verdict

After less than ten hours of deliberation, the jury returned with a guilty verdict. On February 9, 1980 – exactly two years after Kimberly's disappearance, Bundy received his death sentence. His execution in 1989 finally brought closure to this horrific chapter in American criminal history.

A Lasting Legacy

This case serves as more than just another true crime story. It reminds us that evil can hide behind a charming facade, while also highlighting the tireless dedication of law enforcement professionals who work to bring justice to victims and their families. Dekle later documented his experiences in his 2011 book, "The Last Murder: The Investigation, Prosecution, and Execution of Ted Bundy," providing valuable insights into this landmark case.

For those interested in learning more about this historic case, Bob Dekle's detailed account can be found on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show website, also Apple Podcasts, Spotify and available across major podcast platforms. His firsthand perspective offers unique insights into the investigation and trial that finally stopped one of America's most notorious serial killers.

The story of Kimberly Leach, Bob Dekle, and Ted Bundy's final murder continues to resonate today, reminding us that some of the most important stories are those we think we already know.